Highlighted Year: Doc White, 1902

Pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies

Age:  23 (April 9)

2^nd season with Phillies

Bats – Left, Throws – Left

Height: 6’1”    Weight: 150 

Prior to 1902:

A native of Washington, DC, G. Harris White was the son of a prominent businessman and began studying at Georgetown University in 1897 where he joined the baseball team as a pitcher and outfielder. In an 1899 game against Holy Cross, he struck out the first nine batters he faced. While working toward a degree in dentistry, White played semi-pro ball in 1900. With his performance catching the interest of the Phillies, he signed in 1901 and as a rookie that year posted a 14-13 record and 3.19 ERA with 22 complete games and 132 strikeouts over 236.2 innings. In the offseason he completed his studies and received a degree in dentistry in 1902.

1902 Season Summary

Appeared in 61 games

P – 36, LF – 17, PH – 6, RF – 2

[Bracketed numbers indicate NL rank in Top 20]

Pitching

Games – 36 [5, tied with Roy Evans, Noodles Hahn & Mike O’Neill]

Games Started – 35 [5]

Complete Games – 34 [4, tied with Jack Taylor]

Wins – 16 [10, tied with Bill Phillips, Mike O’Neill & Ed Doheny]

Losses – 20 [2, tied with Vic Willis]

PCT - .444

Saves – 1 [5, tied with eleven others]

Shutouts – 3 [11, tied with four others]

Innings Pitched – 306 [5]

Hits – 277 [8, tied with Roy Evans]

Runs – 126 [8]

Earned Runs – 86 [9]

Home Runs – 3 [7, tied with five others]

Bases on Balls – 72 [10]

Strikeouts – 185 [2]

ERA – 2.53 [18, tied with Ed Doheny]

Hit Batters – 13 [8]

Balks – 0

Wild Pitches – 7 [7, tied with Luther Taylor & Bill Donovan]

Midseason Snapshot: 8-10, ERA – 2.71, SO - 86 in 153 IP

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Most strikeouts, game – 11 (in 9 IP) vs. Chi. Cubs 9/1

10+ strikeout games – 2

Fewest hits allowed, game (min. 7 IP) – 2 (in 9 IP) vs. Brooklyn 10/2

Batting

PA – 200, AB – 179, R – 17, H – 47, 2B – 3, 3B – 1, HR – 1, RBI – 15, BB – 11, SO – 23, SB – 5, CS – N/A, AVG - .263, GDP – N/A, HBP – 0, SH – 9, SF – N/A

Fielding (P)

Chances – 101

Put Outs – 11

Assists – 83

Errors – 7

DP – 0

Pct. - .931

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The Phillies went 56-81 to finish seventh in the NL, 46 games behind the pennant-winning Pittsburgh Pirates. Having suffered further defections to the American League, the Phillies, following a 5-1 start, struggled during May and after climbing to 28-31 by the end of June, suffered through a difficult July and August to settle into seventh place to stay.

Aftermath of 1902:

After opening his dental office in Washington in the offseason, White became the subject of a bidding war between American League teams. He was awarded to the Chicago White Sox in 1903, following the peace agreement between the NL and AL. His 1903 record was 17-16 with a 2.13 ERA, 29 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 114 strikeouts over 300 innings pitched. His willingness to throw inside to hitters led to 14 hit batters Respected for his education he soon earned the nickname “Doc” as a result of his off-field profession. His best pitch proved to be a “drop ball” (sinker) that broke sharply downward as it crossed the plate which supplemented his good fastball and overall effective control. The White Sox contended in 1904 and White contributed what was then a record with five consecutive shutouts on his way to a 16-12 tally and 1.78 ERA with 23 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 115 strikeouts over 228 innings. Intelligent and articulate, he became a favorite subject for interviewers. He was outstanding again in 1905 as he produced a 17-13 record, 1.76 ERA, 25 complete games, 4 shutouts, and 120 strikeouts over 260.1 innings. The White Sox won the AL pennant in 1906, primarily due to their pitching and fielding, and White contributed a league-leading 1.52 ERA to go with a 16-6 tally, 20 complete games, 7 shutouts, and 95 strikeouts over 219.1 innings, although he was hindered by illness and a tired arm late in the season. In the World Series upset of the cross-town Cubs, he lasted only three innings in a Game 2 loss but relieved effectively to save Game 5 and started and went the distance in winning the decisive Game 6. In 1907 White tied for the league lead in wins with his 27-13 record and had a 2.26 ERA with 24 complete games, 6 shutouts, and 141 strikeouts over 291 innings while walking only 38 batters to average 1.2 walks per nine innings. With the White Sox involved in a tight pennant race in 1908, White produced an 18-13 tally and 2.55 ERA with 24 complete games, 5 shutouts, and 126 strikeouts over 296 innings. He appeared in only 24 games in 1909 as he began to show signs of wear from his heavy work load. He remained effective as he posted an 11-9 record and 1.72 ERA. His effectiveness began to diminish thereafter and, although he stayed with the White Sox until 1913, he produced only one more winning tally. He left the major leagues after pitching in only 19 games in 1913, although he played in the Pacific Coast League in 1914 and ’15. For his major league career, White produced a 189-156 record with a 2.39 ERA, 262 complete games, 45 shutouts, and 1384 strikeouts over 3041 innings. With the Phillies he went 30-33 with a 2.82 ERA, 56 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 317 strikeouts over 542.2 innings. His only postseason appearances came in the 1906 World Series with the White Sox, and in three games he went 1-1 with a save, a 1.80 ERA, and 4 strikeouts over 15 innings. His record for consecutive shutouts lasted until 1968. Active in his church, he played the piano and directed the choir. He later toured while performing spirituals and popular songs of the time. White also collaborated with writer Ring Lardner, composing music for song lyrics Lardner wrote. White also became a minor league manager and coached baseball and taught physical education at his former high school in Washington. He was a college pitching coach until retiring at 70 in 1949. A devoted gardener, he won prizes for his roses in local competions. White died in 1969 at age 89, several months after sending a congratulatory telegram to Dodgers RHP Don Drysdale, who broke his record for consecutive shutouts.     

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Highlighted Years feature players who led a major league in one of the following categories: batting average, home runs (with a minimum of 10), runs batted in, or stolen bases (with a minimum of 20); or pitchers who led a major league in wins, strikeouts, earned run average, or saves (with a minimum of 10). Also included are participants in annual All-Star Games between the National and American Leagues since 1933. This category also includes Misc. players who received award votes, were contributors to teams that reached the postseason, or had notable seasons in non-award years.