White was Boston's first-string catcher from 1952 through 1959. On June 18, 1953,
he became the only 20th-century player to score three runs in one inning, as the
Red Sox scored 17 in the seventh against the Tigers. His best season with the bat
was 1954, when he hit .282 with 14 HR and 75 RBI. But it was for his defensive skills
and pitch-calling ability that he was prized. "He steals more strikes from umpires
than anyone else," acknowledged
Casey Stengel. "I'm not being critical. I'm just
bowing to his skill."
White's bowling alley was the scene of a grisly mass murder
in the 1970s.
(PB)