Home >
Whitey Ford becomes winningest Yankee...
Whitey Ford becomes winningest Yankee...
Item # 565249
Currently Unavailable. Contact us if you would like to be placed on a want list or to be notified if a similar item is available.
October 04, 1965
THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Massachusetts, October 4, 1965
* Whitey Ford breaks Yankees win record
* New York Yankees winningest pitcher
This 26 page newspaper newspaper has two column headlines on page 18: "Ford Hits Milestone As Yanks Slam Sox" and "Notches No. 232 to Become Biggest Winner in Bomber History as Boston Falls, 11-5"
Tells of Whitey Ford surpassing (232) Red Ruffing as the winningest New York Yankees pitcher of all time. He would end his career with 236 wins which is still a Yankee record to this day.
Other news of the day throughout. Light browning, otherwise in good condition.
wikipedia notes: Whitey Ford went from the No. 4 pitcher on a great staff to the universally acclaimed No. 1 pitcher of the Yankees, becoming known as the "Chairman of the Board" for his ability to remain calm and in command during high-pressure situations. He was also known as "Slick" for his craftiness on the mound. Ford's guile was necessary because he did not have an overwhelming fastball, but being able to throw several other pitches very well gave him pinpoint control. Nonetheless, Ford was an effective strikeout pitcher for his time, tying the then-AL record for six consecutive strikeouts in 1956, and again in 1958. Ford pitched 2 consecutive one-hit games in 1955 to tie a record held by several pitchers. He never pitched a no-hitter.
In 1955, Ford led the American League in complete games and games won; in 1956 in earned run average and winning percentage; in 1958, in earned run average; and in both 1961 and 1963, in games won and winning percentage. Ford won the Cy Young Award in 1961; he likely would have won the 1963 AL Cy Young, but this was before the institution of a separate award for each league, and Ford could not match Sandy Koufax's numbers for the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League. He would also have been a candidate in 1955, but this was before the award was created.
Some of Ford's totals were depressed by Yankees manager Casey Stengel who viewed Ford as his top pitching asset, and often reserved his ace left-hander for more formidable opponents such as the Tigers, Indians and White Sox. When he became manager in 1961, Ralph Houk promised Ford he would pitch every fourth day, regardless of opponent; after exceeding 30 starts only once in his nine seasons under Stengel, Ford had 39 in 1961. A career-best 25-4 record and the Cy Young Award ensued, but Ford's season was overshadowed by the home run battle between Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle. As a left-hander, Ford was also deft at keeping runners at their base: He set a record in 1961 by pitching 243 consecutive innings without allowing a stolen base.
At one point during the 1963 season, Ford pitched a shutout and announced he had given up smoking. He said, "My doctor told me that whenever I think of smoking, I should think of a bus starting up and blowing the exhaust in my face."
Category: The 20th Century
No Longer Available
