San Francisco Giants
In White's first game with the Giants on May 7,1956,he hit a home run in his first major league at bat in the second inning. [8] White played 138 games that year as the Giants first baseman,hitting .256 with 22 home runs. He did not play in 1957,due to military service. [2] White rejoined the team in July 1958,after the Giants had moved to San Francisco,playing in only 26 games. [5] [2] If he stayed with the Giants,White would have to compete for the first base job with future hall of fame player Orlando Cepeda, [9] the 1958 rookie of the year,and up and coming future hall of fame first baseman Willie McCovey. [10] [5] On March 25,1959,White was traded with Ray Jablonski to St. Louis Cardinals for Sam Jones and Don Choate. [11]
St. Louis Cardinals
White played for the Cardinals from 1959 through 1965,never hitting below .283,and surpassing .300 four times. [2] He made the National League (NL) All-Star team every one of those years except 1962;however,in 1962,he had his highest career batting average (.324),his career high OPS (.868),along with 93 runs scored,and 102 RBI. He also won a gold glove at first base that year,and was 13th in NL MVP voting. [2] [12]
His best statistical year came in 1963 when he posted career highs with 200 hits,106 runs scored,27 home runs,and 109 RBIs. [2] White was a consistent performer,particularly during the 1962-64 seasons. During those three seasons,he had highly productive and notably consistent numbers for hits (199,200,191),runs (93,106,92),home runs (20,27,21),runs batted in (102,109,102),and average (.324,.304,.303). [2] During the 1964 Cardinals championship season,White placed third in the league MVP voting for his overall seasonal performance yet had a subpar postseason,batting only .111 (3–27 with 2 RBI) in the World Series. [2] [13] [14]
A capable baserunner,White stole 12 or more bases four times. [2] He was also one of the top defensive first basemen of his time,winning seven straight Gold Glove Awards (1960–66). [12] White hit for the cycle on August 14,1960, [15] and once hit three home runs in a game,on July 5,1961. [16] Also in July 1961,White tied Ty Cobb's 49-year Major League record by collecting 14 hits in consecutive doubleheaders,both against the Chicago Cubs at Sportsman's Park,going 4-for-5 in both games on July 17 and 3-for-4 in both games the very next day. [17] Ironically,the first doubleheader was played on the same day Cobb died and 49 years to the day after Cobb collected eight hits to begin his feat. [17] [18]
Philadelphia Phillies
On October 27,1965,the Cardinals traded White,Dick Groat and Bob Uecker to Philadelphia Phillies for Pat Corrales,Art Mahaffey and Alex Johnson. [11] In 1966,White hit .276,with 22 home runs,85 runs scored and 103 RBI in 159 games and was 23rd in MVP voting;but those numbers steadily declined in the following two seasons,after tearing his Achilles Tendon in the 1966 off-season. [2] [3] The Phillies traded White back to the Cardinals for Jim Hutto and Jerry Buchek in April 1969,his final season. He played sparingly in only 49 games. [2]
