Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement Friday regarding the passing of Hall of Fame pitcher and 1961 American League Cy Young Award recipient Whitey Ford, who was 91:

“Today all of Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Whitey Ford, a New York City native who became a legend for his hometown team. Whitey earned his status as the ace of some of the most memorable teams in our sport’s rich history. Beyond the Chairman of the Board’s excellence on the mound, he was a distinguished ambassador for our national pastime throughout his life. I extend my deepest condolences to Whitey’s family, his friends and admirers throughout our game, and all fans of the Yankees.”