Whitey Ritterson

Whitey Ritterson, born in 1855, was a position player who had a brief yet notable career in Major League Baseball from 1876 to 1876. He played during the early years of professional baseball, a time characterized by rapid growth in the sport and the establishment of foundational rules and structures. Over his short tenure, Ritterson appeared in 16 games, achieving 13 hits and accumulating a batting average of .25. He contributed 4 RBIs to his team's efforts but did not record any home runs or stolen bases. Ritterson's playing style reflected the transitional nature of baseball in the late 19th century, as players began to adapt to a more dynamic game. Although his time in the major leagues was limited, his participation in this formative period of baseball history helped to pave the way for future generations of players. With the sport still in its infancy, every player, including Ritterson, played a role in shaping the game into the beloved American pastime it would eventually become.