Radnor's Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum Honored

RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA – The Delaware County Council recently recognized board members and the curator of the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum for their work to honor athletes who have earned national and international acclaim for their accomplishments.

County officials honored the board and curator during the May 2 meeting held in Radnor Township.

The Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum, located in the Radnor Township Building opened in 2015 after the closing of the Granite Run Mall, where The Mickey Vernon Museum had been housed.

The multi-level museum has seven galleries with permanent collections. The first floor includes the Mickey Vernon Gallery, the Jane Barkman/Mary Ellen Clark Wide World of Women's Sports Gallery and the home-town Radnor Township Sports Atrium Gallery. On the second floor are the Ted Meredith Olympic Gallery, the Emlen Tunnell Football Gallery, the Jack Ramsay Basketball Gallery and the All-Sports Gallery.

"Residents are able to enjoy personal memorabilia from local athletes from over 150 years of Delaware County sports history," said Councilman Kevin Madden. "Council commends the board and staff of The Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum for preserving the rich sports history of Delaware County by honoring athletes who have earned national and international acclaim for their accomplishments."

In addition to the permanent displays, the museum also hosts numerous special events and showcases. Currently on display is a 1972 jersey and pants worn by Roberto Clemente during his historic final season, when he achieved his 3,000th career hit at his final time at bat for the Pittsburgh Pirates. During his 18-year career, Clemente was a 15-time All-Star, a 12-time Golden Glove Award recipient, a four-time Batting Champion, a 2-time World Series Champion, and both a National League and World Series MVP Award winner. The jersey and pants will be on display through June.

The museum is also having a year-long celebration to honor the birth of James Barton (Mickey) Vernon, one of the greatest baseball players that Delaware County has ever produced. Born on April 22,1918 and a native of Marcus Hook PA, Mickey was a two-time American League Batting Champion and seven-time All-Star. To commemorate his centennial year, the museum’s website is offering video clips and twelve sports cards, a different one to be presented each month of the year.

In June, Willy "White Shoes" Johnson will be a special guest during the unveiling of a statue of the late Emlen Tunnell, a war hero, former NFL player and coach and a Radnor native. The memory of Tunnell, a Radnor High School All-Delco football player who saved two lives while serving in World War II, will be honored when the statue is unveiled right outside of the entrance to the Radnor Municipal Building.

Image via Delaware County