Bill White
| Birthdate | 01/28/1934 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1956 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Cardinals, Giants, MLB, National League, Phillies |
| Positions | Executive, First Base, League President |
After a thirteen-year playing career, Bill White became an Yankee announcer for 18 seasons and later the President of the National League.
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Bill White hit a homer in his first big league at bat with the New York Giants
Bill White hit a homer in his first big league at bat with the New York Giants
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 hit a round tripper in his first time in a big league batter’s box.
Many other notable players circled the bases their first time up. The list includes Hall of Famer Earl Averill, all stars Bert Campaneris, ’79 Pirates skipper Chuck Tanner and pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm.
In the collection is this 3×5 card signed by White. He has added the notation, “Homerun 1st Major League at bat”.
After White was traded from the Giants to the Cardinals he found stardom
After White was traded from the Giants to the Cardinals he found stardom
After two years with the Giants – one in New York, one in San Francisco – White was trade to the Cardinals in March of ’59. St. Louis gave up a lot to get White.
The Cardinals sent reigning National League strikeout leader Sam Jones and Don Choate in exchange for White and Ray Jablonski. The next season Jones led the NL in both wins and ERA.
The trade paid dividends for St. Louis too. In his first six years with the Redbirds White made the all star team five times. During that the slugging first baseman/outfielder hit .301 averaging 19 homers and 92 RBI per season.
His finest season came in 1963 when he set career highs with 200 hits, 27 homers, 109 RBI, and 196 runs scored.
In the collection is this contract between the Autographed Ball Company and White. He gives the company consent for his signature to appear on baseball stamped with facsimile signatures. The terms of the deal granted White one penny per ball sold.
White’s signature adorns the bottom of the contract. Interestingly the pact is dated a mere ten days after his big league debut.
After 7 seasons in St. Louis, the Cardinals sent him to Philadelphia in 1965
After 7 seasons in St. Louis, the Cardinals sent him to Philadelphia in 1965
After 5 All Star selections in 7 seasons in St. Louis, White was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in October, 1965. The Cardinals included former MVP Dick Groat and Bob Uecker in the six-player deal. In return they got Pat Corrales, Alex Johnson, and Art Mahaffey.
After leaving the Cardinals after the 1965 season, White spent three seasons with Philadelphia. After slugging 22 homers with 103 RBI in ’66, White declined. In his final two seasons combined, White hit 17 homers and tallied 73 runs batted in.
He returned to St. Louis for the final 49 games of his career. Shown here is a pair of autographed baseball cards depicting White with the Cardinals and Phillies.
White's 13-year playing career included 8 all star games and 7 Gold Glove Awards
White's 13-year playing career included 8 all star games and 7 Gold Glove Awards
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 soon fell off drastically. He never again reached double figures in homers or drove in more than 40 runs in a season.
White ended his career with one season back in St. Louis. In 29 games with the Cardinals he hit .211.
In his 13-year career, White totaled 1,706 hits, 202 homers, and a .286 average. He played in 8 all star games and took home 7 Gold Glove Awards.
After his playing career, White moved to the broadcast booth then to the NL presidency
After his playing career, White moved to the broadcast booth then to the NL presidency
After retiring as a player in 1969, White became a sportscaster in Philadelphia. He first called Flyers games as the first African-American to broadcast a NHL game.
White left Philadelphia in ’71 to join the Yankees broadcast team. He called games on radio and TV alongside Phil Rizzuto from 1971-1988. The former first baseman called the World Series for CBS radio from 1976-1978, and in ’87 and ’88. He also worked on Monday Night Baseball.
When NL president Bart Giamatti took over as commissioner in 1989, White was the unanimous choice to succeed him. He became the highest-ranking African American executive in American sports history. White held the office until 1994.
Shown here is a 3×5 card autographed by White. He added the inscription, “National League President”.
Many dignitaries congratulated Bill White when he took the NL presidency
Many dignitaries congratulated Bill White when he took the NL presidency
When Bill White assumed the the position of National League President in early 1989, received many congratulatory notes. One of the first people he heard from was former teammate Stan Musial.
This letter is 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.”
