William Henry White (October 11, 1854 – August 31, 1911) was an American baseball pitcher and manager from 1875 to 1889.

During the 1882 and 1883 seasons, he led the American Association in wins, compiling an 83–34 win–loss record and a 1.84 earned run average (ERA).

[13] Will was given a three-game tryout with the Red Caps, making his major league debut on July 20, 1877, at age 22.

He had great control of the ball, and he could land one over the plate whenever he wanted to notwithstanding he was handicapped by weak eyes.

"[12] The novelty of his wearing eyeglasses was a regular subject of coverage, and a 1911 newspaper story on "Eye-Glassed Players" noted that there were none in the game at that time and had been none since White.

The famous slugger, Dan Brouthers, was quoted in the article as follows: "Will White, I suppose, was the last of the eye-glassed professionals.

Near-sighted as Roosevelt – and Teddy could play a good game of ball, I'll bet – White was nevertheless a great pitcher.

After pitching a four-hitter against Harry Wright's Boston club, the Cincinnati Enquirer ran a headline, "WHOOP-LA, WILLIAM!"

When George Wright struck out swinging to end the eight inning, the crowd in Cincinnati "arose almost to a man and such cheers and waving of hats and handkerchiefs were never heard and seen on the grounds."

When White then walked to the plate and hit the first pitch for a double, there was more "howling" by screaming, frantic fans.

After Will threw a four-hit shutout in June 1879, the Cincinnati Enquirer wrote that there could be "not a doubt in the world that with Jim [Deacon] to back him Will White as a pitcher is to-day without a peer.

[26] O. P. Caylor, one of the founders of the American Association, recalled that White was given the task in 1879 of demonstrating the curveball to Col. John A. Joyce, the "moving spirit" behind the Red Stockings.

[1] Cincinnati was removed from the National League after the 1880 season, and the team folded, leaving White without a club.

In April 1881, the newest National League club, the Detroit Wolverines, signed White after its principal pitcher, George Bradley, suffered with a pulmonary hemorrhage during a pre-season practice.

[29] When White was signed, the Detroit Free Press wrote of him: "He is too well known to base ball admirers to need an introduction.

Hardy Richardson also hit a bases-loaded triple in the ninth inning and was thrown out at home plate.

The Wolverines lost the game, 8–1, but the Detroit Free Press wrote: "White, considering that he has had no practice to speak of this season, pitched very well, but he failed to bother the batsmen very badly.

[33] In November 1881, White signed to play with the Cincinnati Red Stockings for the inaugural season of the new American Association.

In August 1883, White was baptized in the Second Advent denomination by being immersed in the Ohio River near Dayton, Kentucky.

[1] Baseball historian David Nemec wrote that White's career suffered in 1884 when the American Association adopted a rule granting a batter a base if he was hit by a pitched ball.

[1] In late August 1885, The Sporting Life correspondent from Cincinnati reported that White would not do any further pitching for the Reds "for some time to come", noting that the local fans held a "bitter feeling" toward White, which had caused the club president to employ other pitchers.

[43] According to baseball historian Joseph M. Overfield, White's "arm had nothing left" by the end of the 1885 season.

[44] Another published story that same month reported that White's "delivery wagon can be seen almost any day on the street.

[13][47] In March 1889, Deacon White announced that he was also going into business in Buffalo with his brother, Will, and that Will had agreed to "twirl for the Bisons whenever needed.

[58][59] In 1895, The Sporting Life wrote that the brothers owned 99% of the company, which was a "great success" and had "taken a handsome store on Main street, Buffalo.

[61] White died in August 1911 at his summer home in Port Carling, Ontario, Canada.