James Vernon "Vern" Handrahan was born on November 27th, 1938 on Prince Edward Island. He grew up in the Spring Park area of Charlottetown and became a standout local baseball player in the 1950's. He pitched the Charlottetown Intermediate Abbies to the 1956 Maritime Championship. Vern made the decision to ply his trade in Nova Scotia in order to progress his baseball career. It was here in 1959 that he was scouted and signed by Jeff Jones of the Milwaukee Braves.
In the following years, from 1959-1962, Vern received training and practice in the professional leagues until being drafted by the Kansas City Athletics of the American League in 1962. It was not long until he got a call up to the Major Leagues where he played 34 games for the Athletics, pitching 61 innings as a relief pitcher from 1964 to 1966. His professional baseball career continued until 1971 when he returned home to Prince Edward Island. In his years of retirement from the game of baseball Vern worked primarily as a letter carrier for the Canada Post, and did scouting work on local players for the Montreal Expos.
Vernon Handrahan is one of only two Islanders to ever play Major League Baseball. In recognition of his achievements he was one of the first inductees to the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame in its inaugural year, 1968. He was also named the Top Island Athlete of the Century by the Guardian in 1999 along with Forbes Kennedy.
At time of writing (2010), Handrahan remains active in the community, making himself available for numerous speaking engagements and special guest appearances at many banquets across the Island. He also remains close to the game of baseball helping to shape and teach local Island athletes who hope to one day match his achievements.