Elmer White

Willard Elmer White

• Bats Unknown, Throws Unknown
• Height Unknown, Weight Unknown
• Debut May 4, 1871
• Final Game September 27, 1871
• Born December 7, 1849 in Caton, NY USA
• Died March 17, 1872 in Scio, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Elmer White was Deacon White and Will White's cousin. He died at age 22, in March of 1872, or he might possibly have gone on to as long and impressive a career as that of his relatives. Unfortunately, Elmer White became the first major league baseball player to officially die. The cause of death was compilcations from tuberculosis.

Elmer and his cousin Jim (Deacon) White played for the Cleveland Forest City team starting in 1868.

Elmer White played only one season in the National Association. He appeared in 15 games in 1871, and was an outfielder primarily. However, in a game in June, while playing as a catcher, he went after a badly thrown ball, ran into a fence, and broke his arm.

His batting average, while below that of the team, was higher than two of the regulars and the guy who replaced him, as well as the guy who replaced him in the outfield in 1872.

His fielding range and percentage were not as good as that of Art Allison, one of the other outfielders, but about the same as Charlie Pabor, the other outfielder.

Elmer was 21 at the time, and his cousin Deacon was 23. Deacon went on to play many more seasons, while Elmer was done.

Related Sites

• BR Minors page