Vern Orndorff

Born in El Dorado and a graduate of Butler Community College, Vern Orndorff was a left-handed pitcher who first found success while serving in the U.S. Army.  While stationed in Germany, he pitched for an Army team and went 15-1 in 1959.  He was named All-Europe MVP, which included a trip home, a box seat to the 1959 World Series and a 15-day furlough.

Following his discharge, Orndorff signed with Detroit.  In August of 1961, he pitched a perfect game for Decatur (IL) and was named Topps Minor League Player of the Month.  Later in the 1961 season, he pitched in Duluth (MN) and had as teammates future Tigers Willie Horton, Jim Northrop and Jim Stanley.

Following professional baseball, Orndorff pitched for Wichita’s Service Auto Glass.  He was the Most Valuable Player of the 1963 state tournament and helped the team win the NBC World Series in 1963.

Orndorff died in 2013 in El Dorado at the age of 78.