April 3, 1969: Welcome Back Bill White

     On April 3, 1969, Bing Devine sent utility infielder Jerry Buchek and catcher Jim Hutto to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for first baseman Bill White. It was the second go around for White with the Cardinals organization. White played in just 49 games that season, primarily as a pinch hitter, before calling it a career.

     He had been acquired by the club in 1959 in a swap with the San Francisco Giants and would go onto enjoy his best years in the Gateway City, which included  the 1964 Championship run. In October of  '65, White along with Bob Uecker, and Dick Groat were sent to Philadelphia  in exchange for Art Mahaffey, Alex Johnson, and Pat Corrales. None of the players involved in that deal panned out for the Birds, however, White was also in a downturn when it came to his career. He hit .258 in his 3 years in Philly before being sent back to the Cardinals.

     In 8 years with the Cardinals, White hit .298 and parked 140 balls in the seats. He is also 1 of 18 Cardinals to hit for the cycle, a feat he accomplished in 1960. After his playing career came to a close he spent 18 years behind the mic, before taking a job as President of the National League in 1989. It was a post he held until 1994.

Check out Bill White's numbers here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitebi03.shtml