"The incomparable Edward Charles 'Whitey' Ford, greatest pitcher in Yankee history, is back in tow for the 1967 season. And that's great news for the Yanks and for Yankee fans.
A second operation to relieve a circulatory blockage in the left shoulder was performed last August. Ford's future was in doubt. He came to spring training as a free agent. After a series of tests in which he improved on each mound performance, Whitey declared he was ready again and the Yankees happily re-signed him to his twentieth contract.
Winner of a record 234 games as a Yankee, and the 'winningest' pitcher currently active, Ford had lost only 102 games going into this season. He holds one of the greatest of pitching records ... most consecutive scoreless innings in World Series play- 33.2. He was the Cy Young Award winner in 1961 and Babe Ruth Awar winner as the top performer in the '61 Series.
All-time Yankee record holder in many categories, Whitey Ford happily continues his illustrious career- adding new honors to those he and the Yankees have won together."
-The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook
"The incomparable Edward Charles 'Whitey' Ford was off to a great start this spring after submitting to surgery for the second time to correct a circulatory blockage. An early season shutout of the White Sox at Chicago and several other brilliant mound performances furnished proof that the surgery had been successful.
Then, to the dismay of Whitey, his teammates and Yankee fans, an old elbow spur inflamed the tendons and muscles in the lining of his elbow and his remarkable pitching career was at an end. The greatest pitcher in Yankee history won 236 games, more than any Bomber hurler. His winning percentage of .690 ranks above all pitchers with 200 or more major league victories.
Among the many outstanding marks of his distinguished career is his record of hurling 33.2 consecutive scoreless innings in World Series play. He was the Cy Young Award winner as the best major league pitcher of 1961 when he also won the Babe Ruth Award as the top Series performer.
While his active career is over, Whitey Ford remains a Yankee and will continue to serve the Yankees as a special minor league pitching instructor, major league scout and in other important capacities."
-The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook
MY GREATEST THRILL
"I've had a lot of thrills in my Yankee career and I hope some are still ahead of me. But the biggest event of my pitching career, I suppose, was the streak of 33.2 consecutive shutout innings in World Series play."
-Whitey Ford, The New York Yankees Official 1967 Yearbook
Played sandlot ball in New York with Police Athletic League.
Attended Manhattan Aviation High School.
Signed by Yankee organization on October 4, 1946.
Pitched two consecutive 1-hitters (September 2 and September 7, 1955).
Struck out 15 in 14 innings, April 22, 1959.
Winner of the Cy Young Award (1961).
Winner of the Babe Ruth Award (1961 World Series).
Underwent second operation for circulatory blockage in his left shoulder on August 25, 1966. First operation was in October 1964.
Not officially on Yankee roster at start of 1967 spring training camp.
Holds Yankee record for most lifetime wins (234).
-1967 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
Other Yankee records held by Ford:
-most shutouts, lifetime (44, also the most by any active American League pitcher)
-most strikeouts, lifetime (1,935)
-highest winning percentage, season (.862 in 1961, with a 25-4 mark)
-most consecutive wins (14 in 1961, also held by Jack Chesbro in 1904)
-most shutouts, season (8 in 1964, also held by Russ Ford in 1910).
-1967 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
World Series records held by Ford:
-most consecutive scoreless innings (33.2, 1960-61-62; includes three shutouts: 10-0 and 12-0 in 1960 World Series vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-0 in 1961 World Series vs. Cincinnati Reds)
-most World Series wins (10)
-most World Series starts (22)
-most World Series strikeouts (94).
-1967 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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