Classic SI Photos of Whitey Ford

One of the top pitchers in Yankees history, Whitey Ford nabbed six World Series rings from 1950 to 1962. In 1961, Ford went 25-4 with a 3.21 ERA to win the Cy Young; he added World Series MVP honors in that year's Fall Classic against Cincinnati. Ford threw 14 shutout innings in the series, winning both his starts; his 32 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings in World Series play are a postseason record. Ford spent all 16 of his major league seasons with the Yankees, winning 236 games, the most all-time in franchise history. He was named to the All-Star team 10 times and led the majors in ERA twice (2.47 in 1956 and 2.01 in 1958). As Whitey Ford, nicknamed "The Chairman of the Board," celebrates his 88th birthday on Oct. 21, 2016, we presents 16 classic SI photos of No. 16 through the years.

Classic SI Photos of Whitey Ford

Hy Peskin

Whitey Ford warms up in the bullpen during the New York Yankees game against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 10, 1955 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.

Mark Kauffman

Whitey Ford pitches in the New York Yankees game against the Cleveland Indians on Sept. 11, 1955 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.

Hy Peskin

Whitey Ford appears on the cover of the Sept. 10, 1956 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Richard Meek

Whitey Ford pitches in Game 1 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers on Oct. 3, 1956 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, N.Y.

John G. Zimmerman

Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford sit with reporters in the locker room after the New York Yankees lost Game 7 of the World Series to the Milwaukee Braves on Oct. 10, 1957 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.

John G. Zimmerman

Whitey Ford pitches in the New York Yankees game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 24, 1959 at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.

Neil Leifer

Whitey Ford pitches in Game 6 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates on Oct. 12, 1960 at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.

Neil Leifer

Whitey Ford pitches in Game 6 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates on Oct. 12, 1960 at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.

Neil Leifer

Whitey Ford talks with reporters in the locker room after winning Game 6 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates on Oct. 12, 1960 at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh.

Neil Leifer

Whitey Ford sits in the dugout before pitching in Game 4 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds on Oct. 8, 1961 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

Neil Leifer

Whitey Ford pitches in Game 4 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds on Oct. 8, 1961 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

Herb Scharfman

Whitey Ford appears on the cover of the Sept. 30, 1963 issue of Sports Illustrated.

Walter Iooss Jr.

Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford pose together during spring training for the New York Yankees in 2001 at Legends Field in Tampa, Fla.

Kristyn Ulanday

Whitey Ford and Yogi Berra wave to fans during the MLB All-Star Parade on July 15, 2008 on the Avenue of the Americas in New York City.

Chuck Solomon

Whitey Ford waves his cap to fans during a ceremony before the New York Yankees Opening Day game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 13, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.

Chuck Solomon

Whitey Ford, Al Downing and Yogi Berra pose together in the dugout during Old Timer's Day before the New York Yankees game against the Colorado Rockies on June 26, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.