One of Astoria’s favorite sons is Whitey Ford, NY Yankee great, and one of the premier pitchers in the history of the sport. Last Saturday, we had a street renaming in honor of Whitey Ford, at 43rd street and 34th avenue. He lived in that neighborhood, and played there as a child, honing the skills that would serve him and the Yankees so well in the future. Whitey Ford, Chairman of the Board was signed by the Yankees in 1947. He spent his entire career of 16 years pitching in the Majors. He won six world series and is a 10-time All-Star. In 1974 he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame Whitey moved to Astoria at age five. He played stickball on the back streets and baseball on sandlots with the 34th Avenue Boys, in the Kiwanis League. Before joining the Yankees, Whitey spent much of his time with his grandma on 43rd Street. When he was signed for the Yankees in 1947, a block party was organized by the Yankees for him on 43rd street. The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association and the Friends of Whitey Ford Field would like to thank Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer for sponsoring the street renaming. We would also like to thank Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Michael Gianaris, and Former Councilman Costa Constantinides for participating in the ceremony! We had great participation from the public, and especially the Ford and Clancy Families. It was a most memorable event. Also, providing remarks were Blair Clancy, Granddaughter of Whitey Ford and Co-Chair of the Friends of Whitey Ford Field, along with Neil Herdan, (who was essential in making this event a reality), and Richard Khuzami, President of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association. Whitey Ford Field is a wonderful ballfield on the East River...

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