Bill White to receive Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award in Cooperstown

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Board of Directors has selected the former player, broadcaster and executive for the prestigious honor.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Board of Directors has selected Bill White, a former player, broadcaster and executive, as the 2026 recipient of the John Jordan 'Buck' O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award. White, 92, will be honored with the Award at the Awards Presentation on Saturday, July 25, as part of Hall of Fame Weekend 2026.

Why it matters

The Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual for extraordinary efforts to enhance baseball's positive impact on society. White, who served as the National League's president from 1989-94, was one of the highest ranking Black executives in all of sport and helped desegregate several minor league teams as a player.

The details

As a player, White was a six-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove winner at first base, and helped lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title in 1964. After retiring, he joined the New York Yankees broadcasting team and worked games with Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto for most of the next 18 seasons. White also called postseason games for ABC Sports during this time.

  • White will be honored with the Award at the Awards Presentation on Saturday, July 25, as part of Hall of Fame Weekend 2026.
  • The Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award is eligible to be presented every three years, with the next award scheduled for 2029.

The players

Bill White

A 92-year-old former player, broadcaster and executive who was selected as the 2026 recipient of the John Jordan 'Buck' O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Board of Directors.

Buck O'Neil

The late baseball player, manager and executive who the lifetime achievement award is named after. O'Neil was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022 and was the first recipient of the award in 2008.

Jane Forbes Clark

The Chairman of the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

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What they’re saying

“Bill White's lifetime of service made him one of the most respected figures in baseball, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame is proud to present him with the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award. His work as an All-Star player, pioneering executive and beloved broadcaster built a legacy of excellence that we are honored to celebrate in Cooperstown.”

— Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (mlb.com)

“From a young man born in Florida, educated in Warren, Ohio who took the opportunity to raise extra cash to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor, I'd like to take the time to thank the Hall for recognizing my contributions to the sport.”

— Bill White (mlb.com)

What’s next

The next Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award is eligible to be presented in 2029. Nominations must be received by June 30, 2028, and should detail how the proposed candidate carries O'Neil's extraordinary traits.

The takeaway

Bill White's selection for the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award highlights his remarkable career as a player, broadcaster and pioneering executive, and cements his legacy as one of the most respected figures in baseball history.