Happy Birthday Ed ‘Whitey’ Ford!!!

Happy Birthday Ed ‘Whitey’ Ford!!!

Hall of Famer Whitey Ford celebrates his 86th birthday today.

One of the most celebrated and valued member of the New York Yankees franchise had a career like no other.  A pitcher on a team full of sluggers, Ford made his presence known with his command on the mound.

Ford spent his entire 16-year career in pinstripes, and he started in 438 contests.  During that time, he compiled a record of 236-106, good for a 69% winning percentage.

Ford won the Cy Young award in 1961 largely in due to his amazing 25-4 record.  He was an 8-time All-star, while also finishing in the Top 20 for the MVP award 6 times.

In his 16 seasons, Ford made it to the World Series 11 times.  He ended winning 6 championships along the way, and he has a 10-8 record in the Fall Classic.

Happy Birthday to a true legend, Mr. Whitey Ford!!!

1956 HEADLINE: Don Larsen Hurls The First Perfect Game In World Series History!!!

1956 HEADLINE: Don Larsen Hurls The First Perfect Game In World Series History!!!

On this day in 1956, and front of the world, Don Larsen threw a perfect game in Game 5 of the World Series.

More than 50 years later, this game is still talked about during each post-season.  Many consider this pitching performance by Larsen to be the greatest single-game performance in baseball’s great history.

In Yankee Stadium, and with 64,000+ fans behind him, Larsen and his teammates were battling their cross-town rivals, the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Larsen’s numbers looked like this:

9 innings pitched.  0 runs allowed.  0 hits given up.  0 walks.  0 base runners.

A truly remarkable and historic event!!!  Happy Anniversary Mr. Larsen!!!!

1932 HEADLINE: Babe Ruth Calls His Shot!!!

1932 HEADLINE: Babe Ruth Calls His Shot!!!

On this day in 1932, one of baseball’s greatest stories was written.

Here is a condensed version of the story as brought to you by Wikipedia:

“Babe Ruth’s called shot was the home run hit by Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, held on October 1, 1932 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. During the at-bat, Ruth made a pointing gesture, which existing film confirms, but the exact nature of his gesture is ambiguous. Although neither fully confirmed nor refuted, the story goes that Ruth pointed to the center field bleachers during the at-bat. It was allegedly a declaration that he would hit a home run to this part of the park. On the next pitch, Ruth hit a home run to center field.”

And the result of that?  An 80+ year old baseball legend that is still fondly talked about today.

Happy Anniversary Babe!!!

2011 HEADLINE: Mariano Rivera Becomes All-Time Save Leader

2011 HEADLINE: Mariano Rivera Becomes All-Time Save Leader

The familiar opening guitar riff and drum beat from Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blared, and what has become perhaps the most legendary custom in the Yankees’ rich history commenced.

As the door to the outfield bullpen opened and Mariano Rivera appeared, the Yankee Stadium crowd rose to its feet. It would grow louder still through the scoreless ninth as the ever-dominant reliever converted yet another save. This one, the 602nd of his career, was one for the record books.

In preserving New York’s 6-4 victory against the Twins on Monday afternoon in the Bronx, Rivera eclipsed Trevor Hoffman for the top spot on baseball’s all-time saves list. The win, coupled with a Boston afternoon loss, trims New York’s playoff magic number to four and the club’s magic number to win the American League East to five.

It’s the seventh time in Rivera’s illustrious career that he has recorded at least 43 saves in a season (1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2009), as he continues to build on yet another 40-save year. Only Hoffman, who has done it nine times, has more than Rivera’s eight 40-save seasons.

It was the right-hander’s 290th save at home and 32nd against the Twins.

1975 HEADLINE: Tom Seaver Becomes 1st Pitcher To 200 Strikeouts In 8 Straight Seasons

1975 HEADLINE: Tom Seaver Becomes 1st Pitcher To 200 Strikeouts In 8 Straight Seasons

On this day in 1975, Tom Seaver became the first pitcher in major league history to collect 200 or more strikeouts in eight consecutive seasons.

Showing off the remarkable ability to be a consistent and healthy performer, Seaver’s ability to dominate batters was unmatched during this time.

Here is a closer look at the numbers from those eight seasons:
1968 – 205
1969 – 208
1970 – 283
1971 – 289
1972 – 249
1973 – 251
1974 – 201
1975 – 243

And just for good measure, Seaver collected 235 hitters in 1976 extending the record to nine straight seasons!

How did he do in 1977?  196!!!

Happy Anniversary to ‘Tom Terrific’!!!

Happy Birthday Bobby Richardson!!!

Happy Birthday Bobby Richardson!!!

Bobby Richardson turns 79 years old today.

The MVP of the 1960 World Series, Richardson’s role in that championship match-up of his Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates was vital.  In that 7-game series, Richardson hit .367 as he collected 11 hits in 30 at-bats.  He also scored 8 runs, hit a homer, and drove in 12.  Stuff that legends are made of, right there!!!

Happy Birthday Mr. Richardson.

Happy Birthday Jorge Posada!!!

Happy Birthday Jorge Posada!!!

Jorge Posada turns 43 years old today.

I have always had a lot of respect for catchers.  I feel that their role is the most critical one on the team due to their handling of the entire pitching staff.  A good, strong catcher is able to communicate well, be a team leader, and must be trusted by each and every member of the pitching staff.  Jorge Posada is the perfect example of this.

Posada led the New York Yankees to 5 championship titles during his reign as their #1 catcher.  What is most impressive about this run of excellence is that the Yankees change players, and specifically pitchers, quite often.  Posada had the skills as a leader to be able to handle new pitchers added to the team while still keeping them as competitive and dominant as they need to be without skipping a beat.

Jorge Posada had a fantastic career and will go down as one of the best catchers from his generation.

Happy Birthday Mr. Posada!!!