|
Quite possibly Bill White is the
only player to be a starter on all four (the
only four) consecutive 20 win baseball
seasons in Centralia High School history,
1961 (20-2), 1962 (20-7 - Elite Eight), 1963
(22-6), 1964 (20-2).
He led the 1964 team with a .410 batting
average, 26 runs, 32 hits, and 6 doubles.
When he graduated, he held CHS career
baseball records in five categories - hits
91, runs 85, doubles 17, triples 8, and RBIs
64. From the best that can be determined, he
still holds the records in runs, and triples
and still has the season record of 6
triples. He played two years of baseball at
Centralia Junior College.
White was named First Team All-Southern
Illinois at second base by the Evansville
Courier.
While
best known for his baseball, he was also an
excellent football and basketball player. He
played on two undefeated B squad football
teams before moving to the varsity. His
junior season, the Orphans were South Seven
Conference champions with an overall record
of 5-5.
He received accolades for his play at end
during the Mt. Vernon game which Centralia
won 20-6. His senior season he never came
off the field as he played on offense,
defense, kicking team, and was extra point
holder.
After the opening game with Salem, Coach
Evers said White gave the best performance
at end he had seen in his coaching career.
The team finished 6-4 on the year.
When a mowing accident took several of his
toes near the end of his Sophomore year,
many thought his sports career was over. But
he overcame the injury to become one of the
best all-around athletes to come out of CHS.
|