Baseball recalls Whitey as one of greats

condolences to to Whitey’s family, his friends and admirers throughout our game, and all fans of the Yankees.”

Jim Palmer, the Orioles Hall of Fame pitcher and broadcaster, shared his favorite memories of Ford on Twitter even before new broke.

“Today I was asked who’s my fav pitcher of all time,” Palmer, 75, tweeted Thursday. “I’ve never been asked! It’s Whitey Ford. What an honor to call him my friend.”

Then on Friday afternoon after the news became public, Palmer tweeted again.

“My childhood hero Whitey Ford passes,” Palmer wrote. “Great memories watching him as a kid, made me want to a big leaguer. And then sitting at the Yankee table at the Hall with Yogi, Scooter and Whitey! Priceless stories!”

Legendary Hall of Fame baseball writer, Claire Smith, who changed the sports reporting landscape when she became the first woman to cover a major league team, the Yankees, wrote her condolences in the way she remembered Ford.

“Rest in peace, #WhiteyFord. You were such a gentleman and a joy to know,” Smith wrote on Twitter. “Now you’re pitching, again, and hanging out with Yogi and Billy and Mickey. You’re all in Heaven, so have fun — but behave!

The Yogi Berra Museum also shared photos of Berra and Ford together in celebration of Ford’s life and friendship with his fellow Yankee legend.

“We are devastated to hear of the great Whitey Ford’s passing,” the organization shared on its Twitter account. “One of Yogi’s closest companions, Whitey was so incredibly kind and caring, beyond being a legendary pitcher. This loss is immense.

“Here’s to you, the Chairman of the Board. We love you.”

The crosstown rival Mets, founded five years before Ford retired from the league, also shared their condolences on Twitter

“We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Baseball Hall of Famer, Whitey Ford,” the Mets statement read. “The native New Yorker, who lived in Astoria, Queens as a child, spent all 16 years of his professional baseball career in New York as a member of the @ Yankees. #RIPWhitey.”

Former Yankee Alex Rodriguez also offered shared words of kindness.

“RIP to baseball and @Yankees legend Whitey Ford. Ford won more World Series games than any other pitcher,” Rodriguez wrote. “He was born in Queens and spent his whole career in pinstripes. A 6-time champion, 10-time all star, and Hall of Famer. A true legend and hero. He will be missed.”

Whitey Ford (l. to r.), Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra helped turn Yankees into baseball’s greatest franchise.