Doc White

Born in Washington, D.C., "Doc" White was a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Dentistry.[1] He started his professional baseball career in 1901 with the Phillies. In 1903, he jumped to the White Sox of the new American League.

White c. 1912

From 1903 to 1906, White won at least 16 games each year; his earned run average was in the league's top four each year, as well. He led the league in ERA in 1906 with a 1.52 mark and went 18–6. That year, the White Sox won the pennant and their first World Series. In Game 5, White recorded the first save in Series history.

The following season, White set a career-high in wins with 27. He pitched effectively for Chicago until 1912, had an off-year in 1913, and then went to the Pacific Coast League from 1914 to 1915.[2]

He was a good hitting pitcher in his 13-year major league career, posting a .217 batting average (278-for-1283) with 147 runs, 2 home runs, 75 RBI, 32 stolen bases and drawing 147 bases on balls. White also played 85 games in the outfield and several games at first and second base.

White also gained some recognition as a composer, publishing at least four songs (such as bestseller "Little Puff of Smoke, Good Night" in 1910) with his co-writer Ring Lardner, who was a sportswriter in Chicago during that period.[1]

White died at age 89 in Silver Spring, Maryland, just eight months after witnessing Don Drysdale surpass his record of 45 consecutive scoreless innings on June 4, 1968.

He was the last surviving member of the 1906 World Champion Chicago White Sox.

• List of Major League Baseball career ERA leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference
• Five Consecutive Shutouts Record Still Held by White, by Harry Grayson, June 5, 1943