Whitey Ford

Pro team(s)

New York Yankees

Hall of Fame

⭐ National Baseball Hall of Fame

Edward Charles "Whitey" Ford was born on October 21, 1928, in Astoria, Queens, New York, and grew up in the same neighborhood as his boyhood friend and future teammate Billy Martin. Ford was signed by the New York Yankees as a teenager and came up to the majors in 1950, immediately winning 9 of 10 decisions. He spent two years in the Army before returning for good in 1953. Known as "The Chairman of the Board" for his poise and preparation, Ford spent his entire 16-year career (1950–1967) with the Yankees and became the winningest pitcher in the franchise's history with 236 victories. His .690 winning percentage remains the best among 20-game-winning starting pitchers in the modern era. Ford appeared in 11 World Series — more than any other pitcher in baseball history — and set records for most World Series wins (10), strikeouts, and innings pitched. He was voted the 1961 Cy Young Award winner and was a seven-time All-Star. Under manager Casey Stengel he was carefully managed (often skipped against weaker opponents) to save him for key matchups; when Ralph Houk took over and used him as a true ace, Ford won 25 games in 1961 at age 32. He partnered with Mickey Mantle as the face of the Yankees dynasty that won five World Series championships from 1953 to 1962. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. Born and raised in Queens, New York.