The plaque in Memorial Park at Yankee Stadium says it all for Whitey Ford. It reads, “one of the greatest pitchers ever to step on the mound.” Ford pitched for the New York Yankees beginning in 1950 when he was twenty-one years old. He served in the Military in 1951 and 1952 and returned to the Yankees where he played until retiring in 1967. His entire professional career was with the Yankees. In an internet poll conducted by the New York Daily News, Yankee fans voted Whitey Ford as the all time favorite left handed Yankee pitcher of all times. Ford was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.
      Among the highlights of Ford’s career are ten World Series victories, which is an all time record. In 1960, 1961, and 1962 Ford pitched a record breaking 33 consecutive scoreless World Series innings. Twenty-nine and two thirds innings was the previous record held by Babe Ruth. Ford is remembered for his consistently low ERA, and his high game winning percentage, which ranks third all time at .690. Ford’s All Star games include eight between 1954 and 1964. Ford pitched 45 shutout games.
      In September, 2008, Whitey Ford and his fellow Yankee legends gathered for an emotional farewell at Yankee Stadium. Fans cheered as the 81 year old Ford took his place at the pitchers mound, and other Yankee greats like Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson and Goose Gossage wore the Yankee pinstripes and took their place on the field. It was the last game played at the old Yankee Stadium before it closed its gates to give way to the new stadium.