One of baseball's most skilled batsmen a half century ago, Mickey Vernon spent his final years still around the game.

He'd watch the Phillies nightly on television, he'd keep up with the rest of the league, too... and he would make the occasional trip to Citizens Bank Park. I had the pleasure of meeting the former Washington Senators great just a few months ago in the Phillies clubhouse. He was a big fan of Phils slugger Ryan Howard.

So it's with a heavy heart I'm writing that Vernon passed away today. He was 90 years old.

"He was a wonderful, down-to-earth man, just so gracious," said Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, who grew up idolizing Vernon.

A two-time batting champ who hit .286 in his 20-year career, Vernon died Wednesday afternoon at Riddle Memorial Hospital in Media, Pa., six days after suffering a stroke.

Vernon is among 10 former players on the Veterans' Committee ballot for consideration for next year's Hall of Fame induction class. The voting will take place at baseball's winter meetings in December.