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New York Yankees legend Whitey Ford passes away at 91

By David Hill

NEW YORK - CIRCA 1963: Pitcher Whitey Ford #16 of the New York Yankees pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1963 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Ford played for the Yankees in 1950 and 1953-67. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - CIRCA 1963: Pitcher Whitey Ford #16 of the New York Yankees pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 1963 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Ford played for the Yankees in 1950 and 1953-67. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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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.

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

light. More Yankees. The botched opener plan

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.

Next. Yankees Mount Rushmore. dark

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Whitey Ford.

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