Whitey Ford 10 World Series Wins

Lore & Background

Ford signed with the Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1947 and made his major league debut in 1950. Following a two-year sojourn to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War, Ford returned to the Yankees in 1953 and pitched for them until retiring in 1967. During his tenure with the team, Ford set numerous World Series pitching records, including consecutive scoreless innings (33), wins (10), games started (22), innings pitched (146), and strikeouts (94). The Yankees retired his uniform number 16 in 1974 and dedicated a plaque in his honor in Monument Park in 1987. Ford served as the Yankees pitching coach in 1964 while still a player and from 1974 to 1975 after retiring. He also served as the team's first base coach in 1968. In the wake of Yogi Berra's death in 2015, George Vecsey of The New York Times suggested that Ford was now "The Greatest Living Yankee". Ford died on October 8, 2020, at the age of 91.

In Their Own Story

Inside Yankee Stadium, the air hung heavy with humidity and the electric crackle of a packed house waiting for history. Whitey Ford sat on the mound, adjusting his cap with that signature, unflappable calm while the dugout floorboards seemed to vibrate beneath him from the crowd's roar. He eyed the batter, knowing this single delivery could seal another chapter in a decade-long saga of Yankees glory. With a deceptive windup, he unleashed a slider that snapped off the plate just enough to freeze the swing. The strikeout call didn't just end an at-bat; it ignited a frenzy, adding yet another ring to the collection of the man who seemed to have invented the art of owning October.

Reader's Guide

Ford was born in Manhattan. At age five, he moved to the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. He attended public schools and graduated from the Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades. In 1951, Ford married Joan Foran at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Astoria. They lived in Glen Cove, New York on Long Island for a period during the 1950s, and had two sons and a daughter together. Ford was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1947 and played his entire career with them. While still in the minor leagues, he was nicknamed "Whitey" for his light blond hair. Ford began his MLB career on July 1, 1950, with the Yankees. He won his first nine decisions before losing a game in relief. Ford received a handful of lower-ballot MVP votes despite throwing just 112 innings, and won the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award. During the Korean War era, in 1951 and 1952, Ford served in the United States Army. He rejoined the Yankees for the 1953 season. Ford wore number 19 in his rookie season, but upon his return he changed to number 16, which he wore for the remainder of his career. Ford became known as the "Chairman of the Board" for his ability to remain calm and in command during high-pressure situations. He was also known as "Slick", a nickname given to him, Billy Martin, and Mickey Mantle by manager Casey Stengel. Ford led the AL in complete games and games won in 1955; in 1956 in earned run average and winning percentage; in 1958 in earned run average; and in both 1961 and 1963 in games won and winning percentage. Ford won the Cy Young Award in 1961. Some of Ford's totals were depressed by Yankees' manager Casey Stengel, who often reserved his ace left-hander for more formidable opponents. When Ralph Houk became the manager in 1961, he promised Ford that he would pitch every fourth day; after exceeding 30 starts only once under Stengel, Ford had 39 in 1961. 1961 was his first 20-win season, a career-best 25–4 record. Ford set a record in 1961 by pitching 243 consecutive innings without allowing a stolen base. In May 1963, after pitching a shutout, Ford announced he had given up smoking. Ford ended his career in declining health. In August 1966, he underwent surgery to correct a circulatory problem in his throwing shoulder. In May 1967, Ford lasted just one inning in what would be his final start, and he announced his retirement at the end of the m

Did You Know?

• Ford's 10 World Series victories are the most by any pitcher.
• He set a World Series record with 33 consecutive scoreless innings.
• Ford was nicknamed 'the Chairman of the Board' for his calm demeanor under pressure.
• He served in the United States Army during the Korean War in 1951 and 1952.