This morning, Yankees Universe got some incredibly sad news. Whitey Ford, Hall of Fame Yankees pitcher, the Chairman of the Board, the anchor of the Yankees pitching staff throughout the 1950s and 1960s, has died. He will be known forever as the most legendary World Series starting pitcher in Yankees history. He was 91 years old, a week and a half shy of his 92nd birthday.
Whitey Ford began his career in 1950, the year after the Yankees won the first of what would be five consecutive World Series Championships. That year, he would win his first nine decisions. He missed the next two seasons due to military service, but came back in 1953 to resume his Hall of Fame career. He pitched for 16 seasons, winning 11 pennants and 6 World Series. The World Series was his bread and butter. He was the World Series MVP in 1961, and holds the major league record for World Series Wins (10), Games Started (22), Innings Pitched (146), and Strikeouts (94).
He pitched his final game on May 21, 1967. He finished with 236 career wins, and a career ERA of 2.75. In 1974, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
There is so much to say about him, like for instance the latest heartwarming story that he passed while or after the Yankee / Rays game last night with family all around. This Tweet from Bryan Hoch is sweet.
Whitey was the pitching legend of the Yankees that I grew up with, having heard and read all the stories about who he was and what he did. His name was right alongside names like Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Joe DiMaggio. Today we lost a major piece of Yankees history.
Rest in peace, Whitey.
--Ike Dimitriadis
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
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