Legendary New York Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford has passed away. He was 91 years old.
2020 has been a rough year for baseball fans. A trio of Hall of Fame players – Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, and Bob Gibson – all passed away recently. What has been a trying time already has been even worse as some of the best players in the history of the game have headed off to the diamond in the sky.
This year has claimed another legend. The New York Yankees announced on Friday that Whitey Ford has passed away. He was 91 years old.
The Yankees are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Whitey Ford. Whitey spent his entire 16-year career as a Yankee. A 6x WS Champion and 10x All-Star, The Chairman of the Board was one of the best lefties to ever toe the rubber. He will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/2KDi4V9SeA
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 9, 2020
Ford was a lifelong Yankee, spending his entire 16 year career in pinstripes. He was also a reminder of the Yankees dynasty in the 1950s and into the 1960s, one of the few surviving members of those great teams.
Whitey Ford
His accomplishments on the diamond were spectacular. He posted a lifetime 236-106 record, his .690 winning percentage the fifth best mark in major league history, and is the highest of any pitcher with at least 200 victories. Ford posted a 2.75 ERA and a 1.215 WHiP in his 3170.1 innings, striking out 1956 batters with 1086 walks. He was a ten time All Star, won the 1961 Cy Young Award, and was the World Series MVP that season.
For all of his regular season accomplishments, Ford truly shined in October. He was a part 11 World Series, taking home six titles. He was considered to be the Yankees’ big game pitcher, the one that Casey Stengel would hand the ball to when they needed a win. Based on his 2.71 ERA and 1.137 WHiP in 146 innings in the World Series, The Old Perfessor was on to something.
Ford remained with the Yankees for a time after his playing career. He was a coach in 1968, and again in 1974 and 1975. It was fitting that he entered the Hall of Fame along side teammate Mickey Mantle, as two of the key cogs in the Yankees’ second dynasty were enshrined together.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Whitey Ford.