Yankees and the Hall of Fame: Bill White
- James Vlietstra
- May 28
- 1 min read
by James Vlietstra
***
Over the next many months, I am going to review the credentials of several former Yankees.
Together, we can discuss if we believe that they are deserving of being included in the Hall Of Fame or not. I hope you read along and give me your opinions.
Note - Some people currently in the Hall Of Fame are not specifically in for their merits as a player alone. For instance, Joe Torre didn't get in until after his success as a manager. Phil Rizzuto made it after a career as an announcer. Overall, their careers were definitely deserving. Similarly, Bill Mazeroski was generally considered a light hitting middle infielder, however, one iconic moment got him enshrined. I will be including some of these type players too for us to discuss.
Today we are going to be looking at...
Bill White...
He played for three teams during his 13 year career.
He also missed almost two full seasons due to his military service.
His career WAR was 38.6, with three seasons of 5.0+.
He was an eight time All Star
He won one World Series.
He received 7 votes in both 1975 and 1976 before slipping off the ballot by only receiving four votes in 1977. However, his career on the field only makes up part of his story.
He was a Yankees announcer for 18 seasons, mostly next to Phil Rizzuto.
He then followed that with five seasons as the National League President.
His contributions to the game are well above most players who have been voted in. He should be honored while still living.
He was selected to be inducted into the Hall this summer as the recipient of the Buck O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award.
Well deserved!!
Always liked him. Great straight man on wpix to Rizzuto. But, no. Its hall of fame, not hall of very good. IMO
I'd have no problem with White in the Hall.
YES, YES, & YES. Between him as a player, broadcaster, and NL President.. as a whole. He is the type of guy in baseball who one thing may make him a HOFer, but in totality who should be in with Veterans Committeee, not guys like Baines, Simmons, or Trammell.
Oh, and he did put up with being paired with Bill White (remember when Scooter read that off a cue card.. Good evening everyone, I'm Bill White..)
His playing career alone is not enough. When you add in his extracurriculars (especially teaming with the Scooter) I could see the borderline.