White started his career auspiciously, becoming one of just five pitchers to toss shutouts in his first two starts. He went 12-12 with a 2.91 ERA for the Detroit Tigers in his rookie 1942 season, but dropped off to 7-12, 3.39 in 1943 and then spent two years in the military. When he came back, he was used as a spot-starter and reliever with little success. He was one of the few players to play for both the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Browns.
After White retired, he turned his attentions to other facets of the game, coaching, scouting, and finally managing the New York-Penn League's Batavia Trojans in 1975. He was on hand with 90 other old-timers for Tiger Stadium's closing ceremonies in September 1999. White died of a stroke on April 22, 2001, one day short of the 60th anniversary of his major league debut. (SFS/AG)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 23, 1946:
The Yankees deflate Virgil Trucks with home runs in the 5th inning by DiMaggio and Nick Etten. Joe Gordon then greets reliever Hal White with the Yankees 3rd consecutive home run, and the Bombers drive over Detroit 12–6.
»September 28, 1950: The Tigers three out of four game in their series with the Browns, but only have one winning pitcher—Hal White. He relieves in all four games, winning three straight. The Tigers lose game one on the 26th, 4–1, with the defeat going to Newhouser. White relieves Trout in the nitecap and wins, 5–3, after hurtling one inning. He replaced Art Houtteman yesterday in the ninth and threw one pitch and won 5–4. Today he relieves in the 10th and the Tigers score in the 12th to win, 4–3.
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