Fans enjoyed the chance to purchase a baseball with the stamped facsimile signatures of the players from their favorite team. Here White give his consent to appear on the baseballs. His signature adorns the bottom of the contract. Interestingly the pact is dated a mere ten days after his big league debut.

The slugging first baseman/outfielder enjoyed his finest years in St. Louis. White reached the All Star game five times in the six-year span of 1959-1964. After leaving the Cardinals after the 1965 season, White spent two years in St. Philadelphia before returning to St. Louis for his final year. Here are a pair of autographed baseball cards depicting White with each team.

When Bill White assumed the the position of National League President in early 1989, one of the first people he heard from was former teammate Stan Musial. This letter, signed by White from the dawn of his reign as the senior circuit chief, acknowledges Musial’s well wishes. White writes, “Thank you for your nice congratulatory letter. I especially appreciate such kind words from my baseball friends.”

Bill White’s first big league season was with the New York Giants. On May 7, 1956 in White’s very first MLB at bat he knocked a home run. In doing so he became the 30th player to do hit a round tripper in his very first time at bat. Here White autographs a 3×5 card noting the achievement.

Upon arriving in Philadelphia for his age-32 season, White had a solid 1966 season. He hit 22 homers and drove in 103 while earning his seventh consecutive Gold Glove. Though still near the top of his game, White’s production would fall off drastically. He never again reached double figures in homers or drove in more than 40 runs in a season.

White’s storied career culminated with his selection to replace Bart Giamatti as National League President. By gaining unanimous selection, White became the first African American to hold that high of an executive position in American sports. He held the position through the 1994 season.