Yankee Legend Passes

When you earn the nickname The Chairman of The Board, you know you've done something great. That's what Whitey Ford was to the pitching staff of the New York Yankees. As the Yankees ace, during his seventeen year career, he won more games than any other Yankee pitcher and won more world series games then any other pitcher in baseball history. He passed away today at the age of 91. Cause of death unknown at time of writing.

Ford made his first appearance on a Major League mound on July 1st, 1950. Ford started 12 games for the Yankees that year, finishing the season with a 9-1 record, a 2.81 ERA and 59 strikeouts. He missed time due to military service, but came back to the staff in 1953, giving the Yankees a top four at the rotation of Ford, Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, and Eddie Lopat. As time went on, Ford went from being the number four starter on that team to the unquestioned ace for the Yankees. He earned the nickname the "Chairman of the Board" for his ability to remain calm and in command during high-pressure situations.

Whitey was known more for being a control pitcher more than anything. Ford never really had an overwhelming fastball, but being able to throw several other pitches very well gave him pinpoint control. Ford was an effective strikeout pitcher for his time, tying the then-AL record for six consecutive strikeouts in 1956, and again in 1958. Ford never threw a no-hitter, but he pitched two consecutive one-hit games in 1955 to tie a record held by several pitchers.

He appeared on eight all star teams between 1954 and 1964. He was a six time world series champion, going 10-8 lifetime in the fall classic. He also leads all pitchers in world series starts, innings, hits, walks, and strikeouts. During regular season play, he had double digits in wins in every full year he played in the majors, except his last two seasons, finishing with 236 victories. That total is the most ever by a New York Yankees starter, five more than Red Ruffing. The only other Yankee Pitcher to win more than 200 games in a Yankees uniform is Andy Pettite, who had 219.

Sure the Yankees have a storied history of great offensive players, but when you think of pitching staff, Whitey was to that staff what the Babe was to the offense. He had a unique ability to be able to command a game on the mound and will go down in the books as one of the greatest to ever play this game. He's hands down the best pitcher to ever play in the Bronx.

Thanks for all the memories Whitey, you will be missed.