In a very important day for the New York Yankees, as they prepare to play Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the icons of the franchise passed away.
Whitey Ford, also known as The Chairman of the Board, died. He was perhaps the greatest icon among Yankees’ pitchers, and he spent his entire 16-year career with the Bronx Bombers.
According to what a family member told The Associated Press on Friday, Ford died at his Long Island home Thursday night. The cause was not known. He was 91 years old.
Born as Edward Charles Ford, he earned the nickname “Whitey†and it stuck for his entire life. He was a mainstay in the rotation in the fifties and sixties, one of the most successful period in the New York Yankees’ history.
A true Yankees’ great
The left-hander finished his playing career with a 2.75 ERA and 3170.1 innings pitched. He was a six-time World Series champion (1950, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962) and won the Cy Young award in 1961, the same season that featured an unforgettable race between Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris for the home run record.
Whitey led the American League in ERA two times and in wins three times. He has been a proud Hall of Famer since 1974.
“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,” the Yankees wrote in their Twitter account.
In 2020, we have lost several all-time greats, such as Al Kaline, Tom Seaver, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson. Our thoughts and condolences go to the Ford family in this difficult time.