Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Damn Yankees
Page 377
and the Yankee "Big Three" pitching staff became a "Big Four," for e while as Ford joined Allie Reynolds, Vic Raschi, and Eddie Lopat. Ford wore number 19 in his rookie season, but upon his return he changed to number 16, which he wore for the remainder of his career.
Ford eventually went from the number four pitcher on a great staff to the universally acclaimed number one pitcher of the Yankees. He became known as the "Chairman of the Board" for his ability to remain calm and in command during high pressure situations. Ford's guile was necessary because he did not have
an overwhelming fastball, but was able to throw several other pitches very well with seemingly pinpoint control at times. Ford was an effective strikeout pitcher for his time, tying the AL record of six consecutive strikeouts in 1956, and again in 1958. Ford never threw a no hitter, but he pitched two consecutive one
hit games in 1955 to tie a record held by several pitchers. Sal Maglie, star pitcher for the New York Giants, thought Ford had a similar style to his own, writing in 1958 that Ford had a "good curve, good control, a changeup, and an occasional sneaky fastball."