Hal White, a right-handed pitcher who spent 12 seasons in the major leagues with the Tigers, Browns and Cardinals, signed his first professional contract in 1937. After posting a 16-4 record with Buffalo (International League) in 1941 he joined the Tigers and had his best year in 1942. In 34 appearances, including 25 starts, he was 12-12 with a 2.91 ERA and threw shutouts in his first two starts.
White missed two seasons to military service (1944-1945). He served with the US Navy and was based at Sampson Naval Training Station in New York, where he played on the same service team as Del Ennis and Johnny Vander Meer. While playing for the US Navy on a tour of the Western Pacific in 1945, the Tigers clinched the World Championship against the Cubs.
White returned to the Tigers in 1946 and worked primarily in a relief role. He was traded to the Browns for the start of the 1953 season but was sent on waivers to the Cardinals in June, where he finished his major league playing career the following year. He had a 46-54 record and a 3.78 ERA.
White remained in baseball for many years as a minor league coach and scout. In 1975, he managed Batavia in the New York-Penn League.
He was one of 90 veterans who attended the closing of Tiger Stadium in 1999. Hal White passed away at the age of 82, in Venice (FL) on April 21, 2001.
» More submissions
Copyright © 2001 by Gary Bedingfield. Posted April 25, 2001.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
