Yankees All-Time Wins Leader, Hall of Fame Pitcher Whitey Ford Dies at 91
The New York Yankees revealed Friday morning that legendary pitcher Whitey Ford has died. A family member told the Associated Press Ford died on Thursday night in his Long Island home.
The cause of death is unknown.
Ford debuted with the Yanks in 1950, and he spent his whole career with the Bronx Bombers.
In 16 years in New York, Ford won six World Series, 11 American League pennants, a Cy Young award, and he earned 10 All-Star selections.
His World Series performances just accentuate how impressive Ford really was.
He started in eight World Series Game 1’s. Ford’s 10 victories in WS games are the most for a pitcher. He also pitched 33 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in the World Series.
On top of all that, Ford still holds World Series records for starts (22), innings pitched (146) and strikeouts (94).
It’s no wonder Ford is known as the best pitcher in Yankees history.
His rookie year he went 9-1 in 20 games (12 starts) with a 2.81 ERA, finishing second in the Rookie of the Year race.
The year he won the Cy Young (1961) he led the majors in wins (25), win percentage (.862), innings pitched (283) and batters faced (1,159).
Ford’s overall win percentage (.690) is the best for any pitcher with at least 300 appearances.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame with fellow Yankee icon Mickey Mantle in 1974. The Yankees retired His No. 16 that same year.
Sadly, Ford is the latest in a growing list of baseball icons dying in 2020. Al Kaline, Tom Seaver, Lou Brock and Bob Gibson also died this year.
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