Yankees: The Five Most Effective Pitchers In Franchise History

The Chairman Of The Board  #16

Edward Charles “Whitey Ford” earned the title as Chairman Of The Board based on his mastery of the art of pitching. Much like Ron Guidry, he is a small man of stature at only 5’10 and 178 lbs soaking wet; he pitched like he was in a hurry to get home for dinner. Or more likely in his case, to go out on the town with his buddies Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin.

Briefly going through the numbers, you’ll quickly see why he easily makes this list of Yankees greats. As Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notes in the above video, Whitey Ford finished his career with a .690 winning percentage, which for math majors means that he won seven out of every ten decisions.

He tossed 156 complete games, the most of any post-1950 Yankees pitcher and 45 of them were shutouts, again the most ever by a Yankee. Ford also allowed less than eight hits per nine innings, good for number nine in the all-time Yankees rankings.

He logged the most innings of any Yankee (3170) and ranks second in career strikeouts. And, he’s second in Wins Above Replacement (WAR).

But, it was in the Postseason that Whitey Ford excelled, hence his nickname as the take-charge guy on the Yankees pitching staff. In 1960 and 1961, he went undefeated in four starts against the Pirates and Reds, hurling complete games three times, while giving up zero runs.

But once again, we have a pitcher who was a pitcher’s pitcher, who only knew how to win.

Also, known as “Slick,” Ford was relentlessly accused of throwing a “spitter.”  Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t, but the charge only adds to his legacy as a Yankee. If they had a radar gun when he pitched, he might, occasionally, touch 90. But as a lefty, he relied more on a sharp-breaking curveball to get hitters out.

Blessed with a lefty’s natural fastball movement, much like Warren Spahn, he hardly ever threw a straight fastball, his pitch acting more like a screwball with a fade-away action to right-handed batters.

But once again, we have a pitcher who was a pitcher’s pitcher, who only knew how to win.

And unlike teammates Mickey and Billy, Ford was able to separate himself from the fast life of New York City, and alcohol-fueled 24/7 party lifestyle, retiring quietly to his home on Long Island.

With the passing of Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford is now the main attraction of the “Old Guard” Yankees. Now 88, Whitey draws the loudest cheers at the annual Yankees Old Timers Day from fans who remember his brilliance in leading the Yankees to nearly one-quarter of their World Championships (6 of 27).

Hard to beat that, but it’s now time to unveil the Most Effective Pitcher In Yankees Franchise History……………..