Whitey Ford
| Birthdate | 10/21/1928 |
| Death Date | 10/8/2020 |
| Debut Year | 1950 |
| Year of Induction | 1974 |
| Teams | Yankees |
| Position | Pitcher |
A ten-time All Star and six-time World Series champ, Whitey Ford was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1974, his second year on the writers’ ballot.
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Whitey Ford signed with the Yankees at age 18: he stayed with them for the rest of his career
Whitey Ford signed with the Yankees at age 18: he stayed with them for the rest of his career
Whitey Ford signed with the Yankees as an 18-year old in 1947 and remained with the club for the rest of his career. During his sixteen big league seasons Ford won 16 or more games in ten seasons. The left-hander led the AL in wins three times and in innings, shutouts, and ERA twice each.
Ford was also stellar in World Series play. In 22 starts in the Fall Classic he tallied a 2.71 ERA with 7 complete games and two shutouts. As 1961 World Series MVP, Ford broke Babe Ruth’s World Series mark for consecutive scoreless innings. He held the record until 2000 when fellow Yankee Mariano Rivera surpassed it.
By the time he retired in 1967, Ford won a Yankee franchise record 236 games. For his efforts, the 10-time All Star was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1974, his second year of eligibility on the writers’ ballot.
In the collection is this vintage government postcard signed by Whitey Ford in 1953, his second big league season.
Ford missed two full seasons while serving in the military during the Korean conflict
Ford missed two full seasons while serving in the military during the Korean conflict
Whitey Ford’s first big league season in 1950 was a good one. The 21-year old went 9-1 with a 2.81 ERA, seven complete games, two shutouts and one save. In the World Series he pitched a complete-game shutout in the sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.
He then joined the US Army and served two years during the Korean conflict. When Ford returned in 1953, he was outstanding. Whitey went 18-6 and received consideration in the MVP vote. He also gained his second championship ring.
Shown here is the reverse of the government postcard signed by Ford. Notice the New York postmark of July 10, 1953.
The night before, Ford surrendered three runs in a complete-game effort against the Red Sox. Boston hurler Mel Parnell was even better, twirling a shutout against the eventual World Series champions.
The loss was just the fourth of Ford’s Hall of Fame career.
Whitey Ford stands atop the Yankees all-time leaderboard in many categories
Whitey Ford stands atop the Yankees all-time leaderboard in many categories
Known as “The Chairman of the Board” for his ability to remain calm under pressure, Edward “Whitey” Ford was a Cy Young and MVP Award winning pitcher.
With a record 236 wins against just 106 losses, the left-hander’s .690 winning percentage is the highest in baseball history among hurlers with at least 200 decisions.
Ford is the Yankees all-time leader in wins, shutouts, innings pitched. He is tied for the top stop in starts with Andy Pettitte.
Ford was also one of the best big-game pitchers in postseason history. The left-hander sparkled when he broke Babe Ruth’s World Series record of 29 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. In 146 innings in the Fall Classic Ford post a 2.71 ERA, .004 better than his regular season mark.
His 1974 induction to Cooperstown was a foregone conclusion.
In the collection is a vintage Sport Magazine photo depicting a young Ford looking wistfully into the distance. The lifetime New Yorker has signed his name boldly across the bottom.
After his playing days, Ford served pitching coach, first-base coach and announcer
After his playing days, Ford served pitching coach, first-base coach and announcer
Whitey Ford remained close to baseball after he stopped pitching in 1967. The following season he joined the Yankee coaching staff as first-base coach for skipper Ralph Houk.
He then left the game for a few years to pursue investment opportunities. New York owner George Steinbrenner along with General Manager Gabe Paul offered Ford the position of pitching coach in 1974. Whitey jumped at the chance.
It was a special season for Ford. The Yankees retired his jersey number 16. He became the 7th member of the franchise and the first pitcher so honored. The same year Ford was elected to Cooperstown along with friend Mickey Mantle.
Whitey returned as pitching coach in ’75. While pitching batting practice in May, Ford became dizzy and later collapsed. Though he was eventually given a clean bill of health, Ford left his coaching career for good.
Two years later in 1977, Ford tried his hand at announcing with a one-year stint the expansion Toronto Blue Jays.
In 1987 Ford and fellow Hall of Famer Lefty Gomez were honored with a plaque at Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park.
In the collection is this check signed by the the 1961 Cy Young and MVP. The check is made payable to Southern Bell.
At the bottom of the check, he writes the more legal, “Edward Ford” on the check drawn on July 6, 1989. After the passing of his battery mate Yogi Berra, Ford shouldered the title of “Greatest Living Yankee”. He passed away in 2020 at the age of 91.
My favorite Whitey Ford story goes something like this: The first time Whitey was brought to Yankee Stadium shortly after being signed one of the coaches brought him over to introduce him to Yogi Berra. The coach said, Eddie Ford, I’d like to introduce you to Larry Berra. Whitey went on to say that was the last time either of us were ever called Eddie or Larry in Yankee Stadium.
Vistió la franela de los Venados de Mazatlán en la Liga de la Costa del Pacífico, antecedente invernal, de la hoy Liga Arco Mexicana del Pacífico. en la década de los años 50s. Dejando números impresionantes y quedando campeón con este equipo.
Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford were asked to come to Phoenix, Arizona to help open Fashion Square Mall that was being managed by former Yankee teammate
Johnny James. After the grand opening was over, Johnny took them to a fancy restaurant. After the meal, Mick and Greer Johnson were riding with Johnny and Whitey was riding with Johnny wife. Johnny asked the valet to bring his car. Another valet saw Mick and asked him “Are you Mickey Mantle ?” Mick said” yes” and showed the valet his 1961 World Series ring and got in the car and left. Next it was Johnny wife’s turn to get her car. The same valet that was star struck by talking to Mick was standing next to Whitey, but had no idea who he was. He then said to Whitey, “You won’t believe this, but I just talked to Mickey Mantle” Whitey, being the jokester said “What the F&^% would Mickey Mantle be doing in Phoenix? ” The valet then said “It was Mickey and he showed me his 1961 World Series Ring” Whitey then said ” Did it look like this ring ?” and then got in the car and left the valet with a very puzzled look on his face.