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Whitey Ford was first signed by the New York Yankees as a free agent in 1947. He then was sent to the majors to prime for his run with the big club starting in 1949. Ford called up to the Yankees as a 21 year old. He would end his career also in a Yankee's uniform, only playing for the Bronx Bombers and no other team in baseball.

He got to stay in the majors in 1950, and never was sent down again. He started his first game for the team on June 1, 1950, and won his pitching debut. He then went on to win nine straight games before finally losing a contest as a reliever in the late innings of a game.

Ford ended his 1950 season by winning The Sporting News Rookie of the Year award as a pitcher. He did not win the Baseball Writers of America Rookie of the Year award that season. Ford missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons for the Yankees while serving in the United States Army Air Corps during the Korean War. He returned in 1953. Ford quickly rose from being a number four pitcher to becoming the team's ace pitcher. He was even given the nickname "The Chairman of the Board" for his mastery on the mound under stressful situations.

Ford was considered an effective strikeout pitcher for his time without the benefit of an outstanding fastball. He did have pinpoint control, which added to his arsenal and kept batters confused. During his short career, Ford was selected to eight All-Star teams, and won six World Series Championships with the Yankees. In 1961, he won both the Cy Young award as the best pitcher in the American League and the Most Valuable Player award. Ford ended his career in 1966, after undergoing a surgery to repair arm damage. He retired from baseball at the age of 40.

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