Bill White (whitebi01)

From BR Bullpen

William Edward White

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• School Brown University
• Debut June 21, 1879
• Final Game June 21, 1879
• Born October, 1860

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[edit] Biographical Information

Bill White is currently believed to be the first African American Major League baseball player. He played varsity baseball at Brown University and played one game with the Providence Grays in 1879. While not a lot is known about him, it is believed that his father was white and his mother black. He later became a bookkeeper in Chicago, IL. SABR did some research on him in 2003, and a 2004 Wall Street Journal article recounted the efforts to track him down.

He got his chance with Providence because Joe Start was injured.

Here is a photo of the 1879 Brown University baseball team with Bill White seated behind the manager.

[edit] Related Sites

• Was William White Game's First Black?.