THEY LIVED HERE – WHITEY FORD

With the endless list of names etched into New York Yankee lore, Whitey Ford remains arguably the greatest Yankee pitcher ever. His unflappable demeanor and uncanny ability to excel during pressure packed situations earned him the nickname, &#8220Chairman of the Board.” Though he became a legend in the Bronx, Ford was a native of Queens.
Edward Charles Ford was born on October 21, 1928 in Astoria. While growing up in the neighborhood, Ford began to develop both his crafty skills and his love for the game. As he got older, the family settled in Little Neck. A graduate of Aviation High School, Ford showed flashes of his future greatness.
An amateur free agent, Ford was signed by the Yankees in 1947. He spent three years in the minor leagues where he received the nickname, &#8220Whitey” for his nearly white, blond hair. Though the Yankees already had a solid pitching staff, they wanted to get a look at one of their rising stars. Ford, a polished left-handed, received his promotion to the major leagues in 1950.
Wearing number 16, Ford was immediately thrown into the fire as he made his debut on July 1st against New York's hated rivals, the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park; a game Ford would win. Ford went on to win his first nine decisions, a feat which was tied this year by Angels' pitcher Jared Weaver.
In his final start of the regular season that year however, Ford suffered his first loss in a game against the Philadelphia Athletics. He finished the season 9-1 with an earned run average (ERA) of 2.81, the lowest ERA on the team. With a three game lead in the World Series over the Phillies that year, Ford was slated to start game four. He answered the call, pitching a shutout into the ninth inning. The Yankees and Ford prevailed 5-2 and completed the sweep of the Phillies. He was a bona fide Yankee star.
Ford spent the following two seasons, 1951 and 1952 in the Army, fighting in the Korean War. When he rejoined the Yankees in 1953, the Yankees had one of the most feared pitching staffs in baseball. Ford was the fourth starter in a rotation that included Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi and Eddie Lopat. With a record of 18-6 that season, Ford emerged as the team's ace.
Facing the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series that year, Ford was not as successful as he had been in 1950. He took the loss in game four and a got a no decision in game six. Nevertheless, the Yankees won the series four games to two.
With a record of 16-8 in 1954, Ford was selected to his first All-Star Game. His most successful season however came in 1961, Roger Maris' record setting home run season. Ford was selected as an All-Star again and won the Cy Young award with a record of 25-4. Later that year he was named World Series MVP as he won games one and four while pitching 14 scoreless innings; helping the Yankees defeat the Cincinnati Reds.
For his Hall of Fame career, Ford's numbers are certainly impressive. An eight-time All-Star, Ford led the league in wins three times (1955, 1961, and 1963) and in ERA twice - 1956 and 1958. The Yankees won 11 pennants over Ford's 15-year career. He ranks first in World Series wins with 10, losses with 8, games and games started with 22, and innings pitched, hits, bases on balls, and strikeouts.
During the 1960, ‘61, and ‘62 Series, he pitched 33 consecutive scoreless innings, breaking the previous record set by Babe Ruth. In 1974, the Yankees retired his number and he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.