Whitey Ford

JULY 1, 1950 — Whitey Ford’s road to becoming the winningest New York Yankees pitcher was full of the bumps and bruises you’d expect for any Major League Baseball player. The Astoria, Queens, native was drafted by the Yankees in 1947, and three years later, he was called to the mound in a contest between his Club and the Boston Red Sox. Although his debut was less-than-perfect, as he allowed five runs and seven hits, Ford’s resilience is responsible for his now-hallowed career.