This past weekend the Long Island Ducks celebrated Irish Heritage by having a special night dedicated to the Irish.
The Ducks not only had things like customized koozies to give away and Irish music, full of Irish step dancing before the game, but this was special because they were inducting a former Yankee into the Hall of Fame.
The Irish American Baseball Society posthumously inducted former Yankee pitcher Whitey Ford into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame.
Ford pitched 16 seasons in New York and won six World Series titles. He was inducted in a pregame ceremony on the field before the Long Island Ducks took on the Lancaster Stormers.
“Whitey was a an all-time great and a proud Irish American from New York,” said Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame founder Shaun Clancy. “We’re thrilled to be able to honor his legacy on Long Island during a celebration of Irish heritage and culture.”
A New York City native Ford also lived on Long Island. He was a ten-time All-Star, Cy Young Award Winner, and the MVP of the 1961 World Series. He led the American League in wins three times and ERA twice. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 1974.
“My dad was very aware of his Irish roots,” said Ford’s son, Ed, who will receive his plaque. “He marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and he even visited Ireland. He would have been so proud of this honor.”
Ford’s Irish ancestry traces back to his great-grandfather on his mother’s side, Daniel Skellie of Dublin, and his great-grandmother on his father’s side, Elizabeth Kane of County Kerry. His Irish roots also include his paternal great-great-grandparents, Bernard Wilson from Tipperary, and Ruth Monahan from Donegal.
After the festivities the Ducks went on to win the game behind Cody Thomas's 11th home run of the season. Ivan Castillo added two hits and an RBI, and Ryan Langford came on in relief with three perfect innings.