It's safe to say Whitey could've had over 300 wins because he also missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons due to military service.Yet another idol from my childhood. Whitey Ford’s all time record was 236-106, with a 2.75 ERA. While that’s impressive enough on its own, the truth is that Whitey could have chalked up another 50 or so wins, had Casey Stengel not routinely held him out to pitch against the aces on opposing staffs, rather than every 4 days, as was the common practice in his day.
My memory, fallible that it may be, is that I was in 7th grade when the 1960 WS was played. I had a bet with another kid, backing the Pirates. I had a shop class late in the day of game 7, and the kid I made the bet with happened to be in the class. Shop was the only class where a radio could be on and game 7 was on. The kid I bet with began looking for the quarter or dollar or whatever the bet was as the 9th inning was going on. I was more or less getting ready to pay off when loud and clear from the radio - home run!I was 9 years old when Whitey Ford pitched two complete game shutouts in the 1960 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That series was like David and Goliath with the mighty Yankees scoring more runs by a wide margin than the lowly Pirates. But in the seventh game Bill Mazeroski of the Pirates hit a walkoff homer in the rubber game of the match. The Yankees were clearly the better team, and Whitey Ford was magnificent. It was the only seventh game walkoff ever; and the MVP , Bobby Richardson, was a member of the losing team for the only time in series history. The Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27, they outhit the Pirates 91-60, and hit 10 homers to the Buccos 4. But three of those Pirate round trippers came in the seventh game. It was an historic victory by the underdogs. That series featured six hall of fame players and seven league MVPs. That night was a glorious time in Pittsburgh for sure. They let us out of school early for several games. It didn't get better than that!
No one even close to him today!
When we eulogize a little slack is in order, if just for a day.Honestly, I don't know how you can say that. Consider Kershaw:
Ford 16 seasons 236-106 2.75
Kershaw 13 seasons 175-76 2.43
I won't spend any time arguing who is better, but it seems to me he is in the same general league as Ford.
It’s a little harder to make that case for postseason pitching.Honestly, I don't know how you can say that. Consider Kershaw:
Ford 16 seasons 236-106 2.75
Kershaw 13 seasons 175-76 2.43
I won't spend any time arguing who is better, but it seems to me he is in the same general league as Ford.
I think it is difficult to compare pitchers across eras.Honestly, I don't know how you can say that. Consider Kershaw:
Ford 16 seasons 236-106 2.75
Kershaw 13 seasons 175-76 2.43
I won't spend any time arguing who is better, but it seems to me he is in the same general league as Ford.
When we eulogize a little slack is in order, if just for a day.
It’s a little harder to make that case for postseason pitching.
Ford: 10-8, 2.71 era (all in the World Series)
Kershaw: 11-11, 4.21 era (includes LDS, LCS & World Series games)
I think it is difficult to compare pitchers across eras.
Complete Games - Ford - over 150, about 11 a season
Complete Games - Kershaw - 25, about 2 a season
Just one of many examples of changes over the years.
It also features the most intuitive base running play in World Series history. Mickey Mantle was on first when Yogi hit a bullet on the ground to first. The Pirates infielder stepped on first and turned to throw to second; Mantle slid safely back to first! He did a lot more than just hit homers.I was 9 years old when Whitey Ford pitched two complete game shutouts in the 1960 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That series was like David and Goliath with the mighty Yankees scoring more runs by a wide margin than the lowly Pirates. But in the seventh game Bill Mazeroski of the Pirates hit a walkoff homer in the rubber game of the match. The Yankees were clearly the better team, and Whitey Ford was magnificent. It was the only seventh game walkoff ever; and the MVP , Bobby Richardson, was a member of the losing team for the only time in series history. The Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27, they outhit the Pirates 91-60, and hit 10 homers to the Buccos 4. But three of those Pirate round trippers came in the seventh game. It was an historic victory by the underdogs. That series featured six hall of fame players and seven league MVPs. That night was a glorious time in Pittsburgh for sure. They let us out of school early for several games. It didn't get better than that!