Over the course of 10 major league seasons, White compiled a 229–166 record with a 2.28 ERA. His career ERA ranks ninth on the all-time list of Major League Baseball career ERA leaders. White also set a number of major league pitching records and still holds several. His 1879 totals of 75 complete games, 75 games started, 680 innings pitched, and 2,906 batters faced remain major league records. He was also the player-manager of the Red Stockings for 71 games during the 1884 season, compiling a 44–27 managerial record. He is also remembered as the first, and for many years only, major league player to wear eyeglasses on the baseball field.\n', '

White was born in 1854 in the town of Caton in Steuben County, New York. His parents were Lester White (born c. 1820), a farmer, and his wife, Adeline (born c. 1823). The couple had at least eight children: Oscar Leroy (born c. 1844), James (born 1847), Melville (born c. 1851), William, Phebe Davis (born c. 1856), Estelle (born c. 1858), George (born c. 1862) and Hattie (born c. 1867); they also adopted a girl named Phebe Maynard (born c. 1876) when they were in their fifties. White\'s ancestors likely immigrated to America during the colonial period.\n', '

White came from a baseball-playing family. When he was age 13, his older brother, Deacon White, began playing professional baseball; Deacon was eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His cousin, Elmer White, played in the major leagues in 1871, while Will was 16, and died in 1872 at age 21. At least one account indicates that White was also related to Warren White, a native of Milton, New York, who played in the major leagues from 1871 to 1875.\n', '

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