From left are Bill White; manager John Keane and Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals on March 13, 1964 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)

No matter what Bill White did during his professional career, he excelled. Whether it was on the field as an MLB player, in the booth as a broadcaster or in the front office as an executive, White was a trailblazer and pioneer in all aspects of his career.

During baseball’s annual hall of fame induction weekend, the 92-year-old Warren native was recognized on Friday in Cooperstown, N.Y. for all of his achievements, as he was selected as just the seventh recipient of the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

“This award is meaningful, because when I grew up, I never imagined a life in baseball,” White said in a video-recorded acceptance speech during the ceremony. “Baseball was a way to earn money for medical school. But signing a contract with the New York Giants put me on a different path.”

The Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award is presented not more than once every three years to honor individuals whose efforts enhanced baseball’s positive impact on society and broadened the game’s appeal, according to MLB.com.

Born in Lakewood, Florida in 1934, White moved to Warren when he was 3 years old with his mother and grandmother. He graduated from Warren G. Harding in 1952 as both president and salutatorian of his graduating class.

He then attended Hiram College from 1953-55, where he played baseball, basketball and football.

A pre-med major, White originally planned to obtain his medical degree. But he received a pro offer from New York Giants manager Leo Durocher. After turning down the $1,000 signing bonus at first, White eventually accepted the Giants’ $2,500 offer on the condition that he could complete his degree.

He put his plans for becoming a doctor on hold while he pursued professional baseball. But in 1955, he opted not to complete his degree, as his focus turned completely to baseball.

White made his MLB debut on May 7, 1956 for the New York Giants and made his final MLB appearance on September 24, 1969 for the St. Louis Cardinals. During his career, he also played for the Philadelphia Phillies for three seasons.

As an eight-time All-Star, seven-time Gold Glove winner and World Series champion with the 1964 St. Louis Cardinals, White had a decorated playing career. He had a career batting average of .286, while hitting 202 home runs and 870 RBIs.

After his playing career, he forayed into broadcasting, where he became a beloved play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees from 1971-88 and the first black play-by-play person for an MLB team.

He capped his legendary career as National League president from 1989-94.

“The years I spent as president of the National League, and on the Hall of Fame board, were amazing,” White said during his video acceptance speech. “During my time at the National League, we added a couple of new teams that helped contribute to the game’s growth. I want to thank the board for this honor.”

White received the O’Neil Award on Saturday in front of a roomful of Hall of Famers, Major League team representatives and fans at the Glimmerglass Festival Theater. White was honored alongside BBWAA Career Excellent Award winner Paul Hoynes, Ford C. Frick Award winner Joe Buck and former outfielder Rick Monday, who received special recognition for the 50th anniversary of his rescuing the American flag from being burned on the field.