Edward Charles “Whitey” Ford played for the New York Yankees from 1950-1967. This Hall of Fame player grew up in Astornia a neighborhood in Queens not far from Yankee Stadium. In 1947 Ford sign with the Yankee’s and played only for the Yankee’s his entire career. This amateur left-handed pitcher would make history. Being a blond and a light blonde at that, the Yankees bestowed him with the nickname of “Whitey”.
      Whitey’s major league career started on July 1,1950, having an awesome first season with nine straight wins and only one lose. After that season Ford left the New York Yankees and joined the U.S. Army, serving from 1951 to 1952 in the Korean War. When Whitey returned from Korea in 1953, he resigned with the Yankees.
      Whitey Ford joined the big three pitching staff consisting of, Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, and Eddie Lopat making it the big four. Starting at the bottom of the rotation Whitey worked his way to the number one starting position and was named the chairman of the board.
      Ford did not have the best of fastballs, but he was excellent with his other pitches, including a very good curve ball. He was also very good at holding runners on base, rarely letting anyone steal any base when he was pitching a game. Although never having pitched a “no hitter” and not letting guys steal, he did have two consecutive 1-hit games in 1955.
      Among Whitey’s many accomplishments, he was an eight time All Star, six time World Series Champion, 1961 Cy Young award winner and World Series MVP.
      When with the Yankees, Whitey was assigned the number 19 for his rookie season. When returning from Korea and resigning with the Yankee’s in 1953 he was assigned the number 16. The number 16 was retired by Whitey and the Yankee’s in 1974, the same year he entered the Hall of Fame with his long time friend and team mate Mickey Mantle.