Position: shortstop Bats: right and left Throws: right

Eugene was born in Jacksonville, FL on October 1, 1926. His dad worked hard to make a living on the railroad; Eugene believed he worked harder to be a good fatherly example and to make a life for his family at home. Honesty was his golden rule - one that the entire family was expected to live by. As a young boy he was taught not to steal from anybody. Stanky gives his dad so much of the credit for that which he personally achieved in his own life. Mom was a hard worker as well - sacrifice was not an uncommon practice for her. She was on the bus to work in the early morning and home in time to have dinner on the table. She kept the family fed and happy.

There was nothing that could keep the neighborhood boys from getting together for an afternoon of baseball. They would go through their ritual of choosing sides. Each of the boys would claim to be one of their baseball heroes and personified them throughout the game. As a youngster, Eugene's baseball hero was Eddie Stanky, known, as "The Brat, or "Muggsy." Eddie Stanky's career began in the late 30's and early 40's, a shortstop for the Macon Peaches. He made his debut in the majors, began his work at shortstop and soon after played second base for most of his MLB career. Eugene always took the field as "Stanky." He remembers these great times like they were yesterday. He never imagined that "Stanky" would stick to him, a nickname he would carry around until the day he died.

In 1944, at the age of 18 years, entered the US Army and was stationed in Wichita, TX. He was eventually transferred to a base in New Jersey where he fell into place with the post basketball program. This assignment was special for White because during that time he had a brother that lived in New York. Eugene took advantage of every opportunity to visit with him. It was also here that he saw snow fall for the first time in his life. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1946 and returned to Stanton to attend Stanton College.

In the spring of '47, "Stanky" joined the Jacksonville Grays in route to Orangeburg College and on to Raleigh to play the Tigers. They were scheduled to play three games, all three games were rained out, and lacking funds boarded the bus to head home. Raleigh's coach pulled Stanky aside and signed him. Throughout the 1947 and 1948 seasons, Eugene played baseball with the Raleigh Tigers.

In 1950, "Stanky" made his way into the Chicago American Giants organization. He played two seasons there before coming upon a team in Portsmouth, VA that happened to be looking for some black players. "Stanky" was picked up to play shortstop. As quickly as he was signed, he was mysteriously released. Eugene was presented the opportunity to barnstorm with the Harlem Globetrotters. Traveling with the Globetrotter team was a memorable experience for Eugene. Eugene loved when they played ball up and down the west coast - Portland, Oregon to San Francisco, California. He enjoyed the excitement filled journeys as well as the sights he took in.

In 1953, Eugene ("Stanky"), scheduled to sign with a team in Jacksonville, traveled north instead, to play in Richmond, VA and Newport, VA where he had the misfortune of injuring his knee. He returned to the Jacksonville Cardinals to manage them to two championships. In 1956, he returned to the Negro Leagues, playing ball with Kansas City Monarchs, owned by Ted Rasberry. They played many games in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On one occasion in 1956, "Stanky" rolled into Birmingham with the Kansas City Monarchs. His fellow teammate John Kennedy, feared by his former Black Barons, pitched around him as if he was the only hitter in the Monarch line-up. After 13th innings, score locked at 2-2, "Stanky" stepped up to the left side of the plate with one on. He caught hold of a low fastball and drove it out of the park. They survived the bottom of the inning and won the game by two. Coming off the field that afternoon, a man greeted Eugene outside the locker room to pay him a compliment. That man was Willie Mays' daddy. "Stanky" was so honored. He returned to the Monarchs for the 1957 season to play with fellow NLB Living Legends Willie Lee and Sam Allen.

Eugene managed and played baseball with the Jacksonville Majors for another 12 years, making a commitment to teaching and coaching baseball to the youth in Jacksonville. Stanky and his wife worked together well to raise five children. Education was the key ingredient. They were determined from the start, to get their children through school.

Eugene "Stanky" White is one of our NLB Living Legends Remembered. He passed away in April of 2002, just a month before the Signature Series One (SS1) trading card collection was released. In March of 2002, he had personally autographed his entire 750-card collection. These cards are now available while supplies last.