Helmar This Great Game #9 Whitey FORD New York Yankees HOF

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About the Player

A short bio from the Helmar “This Great Game” card back: The other “Old Blue Eyes” in New York, Edward Ford grew up on 34th Avenue in Queens, trained from a young age to root for the Yankees. His favorite ballplayer was Joe DiMaggio, who later became his teammate. Originally tried out at Yankee Stadium as a first baseman, but an astute scout noticed Edward’s strong arm and pointed him to the hill. Ford earned his nickname from his first professional manager, former Yankee hurler Lefty Gomez, who called Edward by the name “Whitey” on account of his white-blonde hair. Had quite a year in 1951: was married in spring training, and only three days later he tossed out the first pitch on opening day at Yankee Stadium before reporting to the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean War. Throws three primary pitches: fastball, curve, and slider, as well as one that’s not in the rule book: the spitter.

About the Series

This series marks a step in a new direction for Helmar. For the first time we take a serious look at baseball in the 1950's and then, perhaps, the 1960's. The game found itself changing dramatically in this post WWII era, influenced by both the larger society and technological innovation. The color barrier may have been officially broken in 1947 but the acceptance of black players by the big league clubs came slowly, if surely. Reliable and inexpensive air transportation paved the way for geographic expansion. The game, which had been centered in the East and Midwest, found new opportunities along the West Coast.

The very center of the baseball world through the decade was New York City. New York teams competed in every World Series through the decade except for 1959. In many of those years both teams competing were from the city. Interestingly, New York also became the center of the art world at the same time. Migration after WWII brought many creatives to the Big Apple and movements such as abstract, modernism, surrealism and avant-garde.

Studying the era has inspired Helmar to use bold, often surreal colors in this series. We hope that you will join us as we explore this era of change.

Card size: 3' x 4'

Individually Numbered 1-20

Related Cards in the Series

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Also, click on card number to see card information or player name to see player information page!

Helmar This Great Game, New York Yankees
Card #	Thumbnail Pic	Player Name	Position	Top Auction Price
1		McDougald, Gil	Full figure batting	$ 34.00
7		RIZZUTO, Phil	Bunting	$ 63.10
9		FORD, Whitey	Tossing ball	$ 118.66
12		MIZE, Johnny	Leaning forward, catching	$ 38.00
34		BERRA, Yogi	At bat	$ 100.00
35		BERRA, Yogi; FORD, Whitey; MANTLE, Mickey;	Together	$ 149.39
43		Howard, Elston	Looking left	$ 52.00
45		MANTLE, Mickey	two bats	$ 206.50
52		Reynolds, Allie	Wind-up	$ 79.60
54		Skowron, Moose	batting follow through	$ 61.00
60		Baur, Hank	Batting follow through; building	$ 87.50
77		Larsen, Don	Elbow up, glove	$ 79.00
79		Martin, Billy	Kneeling with bat	$ 152.50
107		Woodling, Gene	Side view batting; building	$ 71.00
122		DiMAGGIO, Joe	End of swing	$ 306.50
123		Raschi, Vic	Orange sky	$ 90.00

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