This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2003.
Whitey Ford certainly deserved the title of "The Chairman of the Board." He was for more than a decade the star pitcher of a team that operated with corporate efficiency, and his intelligence and confidence were on display whenever he was on the mound. Rather than dominating hitters with overpowering physicality, the lefthander controlled games with pinpoint control and mental acuity. He mixed splendid changeups, marvelous curves, and a good fastball. He had one of the league's best pickoff moves, and he was an excellent fielder. And, like in the model of a chairman, he was at his best when the pressure was greatest. This all-original Ford New York Yankees road flannel jersey is from the 1967 season, his last in the big leagues. In the neck of the jersey is a grey flannel patch with "Ford 40-67" sewn on in navy chain stitch, representing the player name, size, and year, respectively. On the left front tail is the "Wilson" manufacturer's tag with the size "40" and above this is the year "67" written in black marker, which is customary on all of the 1967 Yankees road jerseys we have seen. Ford has signed the jersey above this in blue Sharpie with an autograph that rates an 8. The team name "New York" has been sewn across the front of the jersey and the player number "16" has been sewn onto the back, both in navy felt. The jersey shows game use and appears to have no alterations of any kind. The autograph comes with a PSA/DNA letter of authenticity and the jersey has an additional letter. A classic flannel of an important Yankee!