Astoria native Whitey Ford passes away at 91 years old

We bid farewell to the Chairman of the Board, Whitey Ford, who passed away on October 9 at 91 years old.

The Yankees’ all-time leader in wins, a Hall of Fame pitcher and a six-time World Series champion, Ford was arguable the best starting pitcher in franchise history.

According to reports, Ford passed away while watching Game 4 of the ALDS of the Yankees-Rays series, which the Bronx Bombers won before losing the series in five games.

Though Ford was born in Manhattan, he moved to Astoria when he was five years old. If you didn’t already know, there’s a field named after him in the northwestern corner of Hallets Point.

Here’s what local Councilman Costa Constantinides, a big Yankees fan, had to say about Ford’s passing:

New York City lost one of Astoria’s proudest sons and one of the greatest Yankees of all time. Edward Charles “Whitey” Ford represented the best of this hard-working community, where kids of modest means can grow up to be legends. More than 50 years after his retirement, the Chairman of the Board still boasts several Yankee pitching records. Whitey Ford represented what it means to be a Yankee: a determined team player who wants to bring greatness to his City. That legacy will live on every time an Astoria kid swings a bat at Whitey Ford Field and when every Yankee dons the pinstripes. As an Astoria native and a proud Yankees fan, my heart is heavy today. I want to send my deepest condolences to Whitey Ford’s family, who I’ve had the honor to get to know in recent years. My thoughts and prayers are with them.”

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