The Law family has been a staple in professional baseball for the past 75 years.
Three generations of baseball players: Vernon Law, Vance Law and Adam Law, have shown out in the minor leagues, Major Leagues and here at BYU.
The legacy began in Boise, Idaho, with Vernon. He was a pitcher on his high school team in 1948. He and his brother, Evan, were both scouted out and recruited by the Pittsburgh Pirates that same year.
Vernon played in the minor leagues until being called up to the major leagues in 1950. A decade later, he won the 1960 World Series as the starting pitcher for the Pirates.
“Well, it’s a player’s dream to be able to play in the World Series,” said Vernon, 96.
In that 1960 season, Vernon started as a pitcher in 35 games and ended with a 20-9 record. His outstanding performance earned him two All-Star selections and the Cy Young Award that same year.
Apart from his pitching ability, he was known as a stalwart member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After big wins, such as the World Series, he steered clear of team parties that involved drinking to stay true to his beliefs.
“He was very outspoken and very open about who he was and what he stood for,” said his son, Vance, 69.
Vance Law was just 3 years old when Vernon won the World Series in 1960. Vance recalls his early childhood, moving cross-country at the beginning of baseball season and attending batting practices for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“I grew up loving baseball just because of that, and I love the Pittsburgh Pirates,” said Vance.
He would go on to attend BYU from 1974 to 1978. While he is most well-known for playing baseball, he also played as a point guard for BYU basketball.
In 1978, he was drafted by his father’s team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. He would go on to play for several major and minor league teams, like the Chicago White Sox, the Montreal Expos, the Chicago Cubs, the Chunichi Dragons and the Oakland Athletics, until he retired as a player in 1991.
One of Vance’s most prominent seasons in the MLB was his 1988 campaign with the Chicago Cubs. He hit .293, with 163 hits, and 78 RBIs. He was named a 1988 All-Star and played in the All-Star Game.
Vance spent many years in various coaching positions until he became the head coach for BYU baseball in 2000. He followed in his father, Vernon's, footsteps once again, who was an assistant coach for BYU baseball from 1969 to 1979.
“I am thrilled that Vance followed my footsteps. He did a lot of good,” said Vernon.
“The biggest thing that I really enjoyed was the quality of the young men I was working with,” said Vance Law.
One of those young men he worked with was his own son, Adam. Adam was just 9 years old when Vance became BYU’s head coach. Growing up, Adam would help as the bat boy and the ball boy.
“I felt like I was on the team because I got to wear the pants and a BYU baseball shirt. I’d occasionally ride the bus with him, which was really cool,” said Adam Law, 36.
Adam would grow up to join the BYU baseball team in 2009. Following his freshman season, he left to serve a two-year mission in Zimbabwe, Africa.
Following his mission, he returned to BYU until he was drafted by the Dodgers in 2013. He played in the minor leagues before retiring in 2019. His mission in Africa led him to work for the Dodgers in Africa.
“It was great to be back. Culturally, the simplicity of life and the way they look out for each other have really impacted my life and reminded me so much of my missionary service,” said Adam.
In 2023, Adam joined BYU baseball as an assistant coach, where he still works today, primarily as a mental performance coach.
Every day, Adam thinks back to what both his father and grandfather taught him.
“[My dad] is a very kind, player-centric coach … my grandpa, I mean, this dude is an incredibly hard worker and leaves no stones unturned.”
The “Law Legacy” was cemented into baseball history on August 21, 2025, when Vernon Law was inducted into the Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame at 95 years old. He had 98 family members in attendance for the ceremony in Pittsburgh.
“It’s the culmination of a decent career and being rewarded,” said Vernon.
Beyond baseball
While the Laws have built a prominent reputation within professional baseball, there is more that they have done beyond baseball.
“People have always associated me with baseball, and rightly so. I always try to tell them that’s what I did, but that’s not who I am,” said Vance.
All three of the Laws reside in Provo. Vance, though retired, serves as a bishop for a young single adult congregation in Provo.
Apart from his coaching duties at BYU, Adam provides mental coaching for players and coaches of all sports and calibers through his business, Mojo Labs.