Two years away from pitching while serving in the military during the Korean War helped heal the shoulder — so much so that in '55, he tied a National League record of pitching 18 innings in a game.

Teammates dubbed Law — a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — "Deacon" and "Preacher," while media coverage often identified him as a "lay Mormon minister" known to offer an occasional silent prayer on the mound. In filing a report to the commissioner's office on ejecting Law from the dugout during a contentious 1955 Pirates-Phillies game, umpire Stan Landes wrote: "I didn't want Vern to hear all the abusive language."

In 1960, Law won the Cy Young Award (only one given for both leagues then) and pitched in both All-Star games (two were played that year). In one, he came in and helped the National League out of a two-on, no-out jam. In the other, he pitched two scoreless innings for the win.

In 35 starts, he logged 18 complete games, a 20-9 record, 120 strikeouts and a 3.08 earned-run average in an era when five-man rotations and relief specialists were nonexistent.

The day the Pirates clinched the NL pennant in Milwaukee, Law quickly dressed and headed for the team bus, eschewing the champagne-laden celebration. When teammates joined him, the revelry had evolved to cutting other's neckties and ripping off shirts.

Struggling to keep his shirt from being removed, Law hunkered down to withstand the foursome getting at his clothes. When a teammate grabbed at a shoe, Law locked up his foot and leg to endure the twisting, resulting in a severe ankle injury that first forced an altered pitching delivery in the Series and in turn led to persistent shoulder woes the following season.

The 1960 World Series was projected as a likely four-game sweep by the Yankees, featuring pitching ace Whitey Ford and a modern-day Murderers' Row of Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Bobby Richardson, Yogi Berra and Moose Skowron. Pittsburgh hadn't reached the Series in 33 seasons; New York had played in eight of the previous 10.

Starting in the Forbes Field opener, Law took a 6-2 lead into the eighth inning before giving up back-to-back singles and stepping aside for ace reliever Roy Face in the Pirates' 6-4 triumph.

The Yankee hit parade then came alive. New York followed a 16-3 Game 2 victory in Pittsburgh with a 10-0 Ford shutout at Yankee Stadium.

In the Pirates' 3-2 Game 4 win, Law earned his second win in as many starts, helping his own cause by going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI double and a run scored.

After Pittsburgh took the next game 5-2, the Bronx Bombers lived up to their billing with a 12-0 rout, forcing a decisive Game 7 back at Forbes Field, where Law returned to the mound.