Home > Whitey Ford

He was a native of New York City. He was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent in 1947. He was given the nickname "Whitey" while in the minor leagues for his blond, almost white, hair.

He began his Major League Baseball career on July 1, 1950, with the Yankees. In 1951 and 1952 he was out for military service, but he rejoined in 1953, and in that year, the Yankee "Big Three" pitching staff became a "Big Four," as Ford joined Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, and Eddie Lopat. Eventually he went from the #4 pitcher on a great staff to the universally-acclaimed #1 pitcher of the Yankees, with his #16 uniform number (he had worn #19 in 1950, but from 1953 on wore the number 16) retired by the Yankees as a sign of his greatness. In 19551955 is a common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January events January 2 Panama president Jose Antonio Remon is assassinated. January 19 The Scrabble board game debuts. February events February 8 Nikolai Bulganin ousts Georgi Mal, he led the American LeagueThe American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. It developed from a minor league, the Western League, that aspired to in complete games and games won; in 19561956 is a leap year starting on Sunday. see link for calendar) Events January January 1 End of Anglo- Egyptian Condominium in Sudan. January 16 President Gamal Abdal Nasser of Egypt vows to reconquer Palestine January 26 1956 Winter Olympic Games open in in earned run averageIn baseball statistics, the earned run average (denoted by ERA is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by multiplying the number of earned runs allowed by nine, and dividing by the number of innings pitc and winning percentage; in 1958Events January January 1 Treaty of Rome founding the EU is implemented January 4 Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4 1957) January 8 14 year old Bobby Fischer wins the United States Chess Championship January 18 Armed Lumbee Nat, in earned run average; and in both 19611961 (As MAD Magazine pointed out on its first cover for the year) was the first "upside-down" year i. one that looked the same upside down since 1881, and the last until 6009. Events January January 1 The farthing coin, used since the 13th century, cease and 1963Events January-March January 11 The Whisky A Go-Go night club in Los Angeles, the first disco in the USA, is opened. January 14 George Wallace becomes governor of Alabama. January 22 Elysee treaty between France and Germany January 28 Black student Harvey, in games won and winning percentage. In 1961 he won the Cy Young Award. He played his entire 16-year career as a Yankee, retiring in 1967.

He was nicknamed "The Chairman of the Board."