New York Yankees Whitey Ford, Joe Pepitone & Shane Spencer in ...
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Whitey Ford BiographyThey called Ford "The Chairman of the Board" for good reason. He was for more than a decade the star pitcher of a team that operated with corporate efficiency, and his intelligence and confidence were on display whenever he was on the mound. In contrast to pitchers who dominated hitters with overpowering physical abilities, the 5'10" 180-lb lefthander controlled games with his mastery of the mental aspects of pitching and pinpoint control. Batters had to deal with his assortment of pitches: He mixed splendid changeups, marvelous curves, and a good fastball. He had one of the league's best pickoff moves, and he was an excellent fielder. And, like most successful businessmen, he was at his best when the pressure was greatest.
His most eye-catching statistics are his consistantly low ERAs and high winning percentages. In 11 of 16 seasons he was under a 3.00 ERA, and his worst was 3.24. His .690 winning percentage ranks first among modern pitchers with 200 or more wins. Of course, he benefited from strong Yankee bat support, defense, and relief pitching, but his winning percentage was usually higher than the team's. He allowed an average of only 10.94 base runners per nine innings and posted 45 career shutouts, including eight 1-0 victories.
After joining the Yankees in mid-season 1950, he won nine straight before a home run by Philadelphia's Sam Chapman gave him his only loss. In the World Series, he pitched 8-2/3 innings without allowing an earned run to win the fourth game of the Yankee sweep. He spent 1951 and 1952 in the service, but returned to post 18-6 and 16-8 marks in 1953 and 1954.
His 18-7 record in 1955 tied him for most AL wins. He led in complete games (18) and was second in ERA (2.63). The Sporting News named him to its annual ML all-star team. In the final month of the season, he pitched consecutive one-hitters. The following year he was even better, going 19-6, to lead the team. He won his second ERA crown in 1958 (2.01).
Through 1960, Yankee manager Casey Stengel limited Ford's starts, often resting him at least four days between appearances, and saving him for more frequent use against better teams. In 1961 new manager Ralph Houk put him in a regular four-man rotation, and Ford led the AL in starts (39) and innings pitched (283) and earned the Cy Young Award with a 25-4 record, leading the ML in wins and percentage. Two years later, he again led in wins, percentage, starts, and innings pitched, with a 24-7 mark.
At the time there was only a single Cy Young award for both leagues. Sandy Koufax won for 1963, but Ford was voted the top AL pitcher by The Sporting News. They opposed each other in both the first and fourth games of the 1963 WS, with Koufax winning both times. In Game Four Ford lost a two-hitter on an unearned run. In 1964, Whitey Ford after battling arm problems, retired from playing in 1967. He remained the only Yankee pitcher in history to have his number retired by the organization, until Ron Guidry's was retired in 2003. In 1974, Ford was given baseball's greatest honor by being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Whitey Ford can currently be found on the spring training diamond coaching some of today's Yankee pitching prospects.
The Yankees won 11 pennants in Ford's years with them. He ranks first all-time in WS wins (10), games and games started (22), innings pitched, hits bases on balls, and strikeouts. In the 1960, '61 and '62 Series, he pitched 33 and 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, breaking Babe Ruth's WS record of 29 and 2/3.
A fun-loving native New Yorker, Whitey formed a curious odd couple with Oklahoman Mickey Mantle. The two were a familiar duo in the Big Apple. They were inducted into the Hall of Fame together in 1974.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Whitey Ford and other top speakers and celebrities.
-Forty-seven former Yankees, including Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson and Ron Guidry, were introduced inside the Stadium, culminating with Whitey Ford ...
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They called Ford "The Chairman of the Board" for good reason. He was for more than a decade the star pitcher of a team that operated with corporate efficiency, and his intelligence and confidence were on display whenever he was on the mound. In contrast to pitchers who dominated hitters with overpowering physical abilities, the 5'10" 180-lb lefthander controlled games with his mastery of the mental aspects of pitching and pinpoint control. Batters had to deal with his assortment of pitches: He mixed splendid changeups, marvelous curves, and a good fastball. He had one of the league's best pickoff moves, and he was an excellent fielder. And, like most successful businessmen, he was at his best when the pressure was greatest.
His most eye-catching statistics are his consistantly low ERAs and high winning percentages. In 11 of 16 seasons he was under a 3.00 ERA, and his worst was 3.24. His .690 winning percentage ranks first among modern pitchers with 200 or more wins. Of course, he benefited from strong Yankee bat support, defense, and relief pitching, but his winning percentage was usually higher than the team's. He allowed an average of only 10.94 base runners per nine innings and posted 45 career shutouts, including eight 1-0 victories.
After joining the Yankees in mid-season 1950, he won nine straight before a home run by Philadelphia's Sam Chapman gave him his only loss. In the World Series, he pitched 8-2/3 innings without allowing an earned run to win the fourth game of the Yankee sweep. He spent 1951 and 1952 in the service, but returned to post 18-6 and 16-8 marks in 1953 and 1954.
His 18-7 record in 1955 tied him for most AL wins. He led in complete games (18) and was second in ERA (2.63). The Sporting News named him to its annual ML all-star team. In the final month of the season, he pitched consecutive one-hitters. The following year he was even better, going 19-6, to lead the team. He won his second ERA crown in 1958 (2.01).
Through 1960, Yankee manager Casey Stengel limited Ford's starts, often resting him at least four days between appearances, and saving him for more frequent use against better teams. In 1961 new manager Ralph Houk put him in a regular four-man rotation, and Ford led the AL in starts (39) and innings pitched (283) and earned the Cy Young Award with a 25-4 record, leading the ML in wins and percentage. Two years later, he again led in wins, percentage, starts, and innings pitched, with a 24-7 mark.
At the time there was only a single Cy Young award for both leagues. Sandy Koufax won for 1963, but Ford was voted the top AL pitcher by The Sporting News. They opposed each other in both the first and fourth games of the 1963 WS, with Koufax winning both times. In Game Four Ford lost a two-hitter on an unearned run. In 1964, Whitey Ford after battling arm problems, retired from playing in 1967. He remained the only Yankee pitcher in history to have his number retired by the organization, until Ron Guidry's was retired in 2003. In 1974, Ford was given baseball's greatest honor by being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Whitey Ford can currently be found on the spring training diamond coaching some of today's Yankee pitching prospects.
The Yankees won 11 pennants in Ford's years with them. He ranks first all-time in WS wins (10), games and games started (22), innings pitched, hits bases on balls, and strikeouts. In the 1960, '61 and '62 Series, he pitched 33 and 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, breaking Babe Ruth's WS record of 29 and 2/3.
A fun-loving native New Yorker, Whitey formed a curious odd couple with Oklahoman Mickey Mantle. The two were a familiar duo in the Big Apple. They were inducted into the Hall of Fame together in 1974.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Whitey Ford and other top speakers and celebrities.
Whitey Ford is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Whitey Ford for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Whitey Ford generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Reggie Jackson, Bob Gibson, Hank Aaron, Wade Boggs and Dennis Eckersley. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Whitey Ford for an upcoming event.
Forty-seven former Yankees, including Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson and Ron Guidry, were introduced inside the Stadium, culminating with Whitey Ford ...
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
If you are the talent, and wish to request removal from this catalog or report an issue with your profile, please click here.
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