Deacon White
A barehanded catching pioneer and offensive force who was a cornerstone of baseball's first professional championship dynasties.
1847–1939 (age 92)·American baseball player and manager·Birthday: December 2
Biography
Deacon White didn't just play in baseball's infancy; he helped build the sport's professional foundations. His career spanned the sport's raw, formative era, from the National Association to the newly formed National League. In an age when catchers worked without gloves or masks, White was the durable, skilled backstop who handled pitchers and dominated the opposition's running game with his arm and grit. But he was far more than a defensive specialist. A consistent and powerful hitter, his bat was central to the success of every team he played for. He was a fixture on five consecutive championship teams from 1873 to 1877, a testament to his winning pedigree. White's longevity and excellence made him a vital link between the game's amateur past and its organized future.
#1 When Deacon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1847
Deacon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1847Born
1852Started school
1860Became a teenager
1863Could drive
President: Abraham Lincoln
1865Could vote
President: Andrew Johnson
1868Turned 21
President: Andrew Johnson
1877Turned 30
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1887Turned 40
President: Grover Cleveland
1897Turned 50
President: William McKinley
1907Turned 60
Financial panic grips Wall Street
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1917Turned 70
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1927Turned 80
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1939Died at 92
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
Key Achievements
- Played a key role on five consecutive championship teams from 1873 to 1877 across two major early leagues.
- Was the primary catcher of the 1870s, catching more games than any other player during that barehanded era.
- Played in the inaugural National League season in 1876 after the league's formation.
Did You Know?
His real first name was James, and 'Deacon' was a nickname reflecting his sober, religious demeanor.
He was one of the players who participated in the first professional league, the National Association, for its entire five-year existence.
He continued to play professionally until he was 43 years old.
“I caught barehanded for fourteen years; that's how the game was played.”
