Will White

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For other persons of the same name, see William White.

William Henry White (October 11, 1854 - August 31, 1911) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who made his debut on July 20, 1877 with the Boston Red Caps at the age of 23.

He also played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1878-1880, the Detroit Wolverines 1881 and the Cincinnati Red Stockings 1882-1888.

The brother of catcher and third baseman Deacon White, Will White pitched with his right hand, but he was also a switch hitter. He was born in Caton, New York. He died in Port Carling, Ontario, Canada.

It is speculated that he was a control pitcher opposed to a power one, by his low strikeout count and his low earned run average. A notable reason for his short career and his major league record for games started in a season, is in the 1800s to the mid-1900s relief pitchers were not used if it could be helped. In fact, most teams of that era had 4 starters (most teams use 5 now) and 1 relief pitcher. (All major league teams have 4 or 5 relief pitchers on their active rosters now, and many have 7 or 8.)

[edit] Trivia

Holds the major league record for most games started in a single season, for a pitcher, with Pud Galvin each with 75.
Holds the Major League record for innings pitched in a season with 680.0 in 1879 at the age of 24 with the Cincinnati Reds.
Has 229 career wins and 166 losses.
Nickname was "Whoop-La".
Was the first major league player to wear glasses on the field.