February 3, 2021 - On this day in New York History: 2/3/1989, Bill White named the first African-American President of Major League Baseball’s National League.

On this day in New York history in 1989, William De Kova White was named the first African-American President of Major League Baseball’s National League,* a position that he held for five years. White, who was born in Lakewood, Florida in 1928 and began his playing career with the New York Giants in 1955 –––– two years before the team moved to San Francisco –––– was a stand-out first baseman. Following his two-year stint with the Giants, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he helped the team win the 1964 World Series; as well as the Philadelphia Phillies. Over his thirteen year playing career, he was an eight-time all star, as well as a seven time Gold Glove award winner for first baseman. More recently, he was inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame just last year.

Although he made an impact on the field throughout his career, his work as a broadcaster following his stint as a first baseman, helped propel him toward his role as President of the National League. After hosting his own radio show in St. Louis while still playing for the team; then a few years later, repeating this dual role as a player / radio show host with the Philadelphia Phillies; once he did actually retire from the game, he began his career as a television sports broadcaster as part of Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV.

Following his departure from the Philadelphia network, he joined the New York Yankee’s broadcast team, calling games for the pinstripes for nearly two decades: from 1971 until 1988. His autobiography, Uppity: My Untold Story About the Games People Play, was published in 2011.

One gem of a clip from his broadcasting career, which took place during a 1986 regular season game between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins, is still available online, and is presented below. Take note, this is how you broadcast a rain delay.

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*Major League Baseball has two conferences –––– the National and the American, which owing to a misnomer, are referred to as leagues.