WENTY FORD

ALPHABETIC LIST OF

THE 50 BRAVES PLAYERS OF THE 1970'S

WHO DIDN'T MAKE MY ORIGINAL 

100 FAVORITE PLAYER LIST

#14 WENTY FORD

ATLANTA BRAVES 1973

I realize when you look at his name real fast the first image that may go through your head is of Yankee Hall of Famer Whitey Ford. Wenty's career was a bit shorter than Whitey's, consisting of four games in 1973. But Wenty did something Whitey was unable to do. 

Whitey faced Juan Marichal of the Giants in Game 4 of the 1962 World Series, and the Yankees lost.

Fast forward to Septemeber 10, 1973. Wenty Ford is starting in his first major league game. He faces the Giants and....Juan Marichal. The Braves knock out the future Hall-of-Famer and Wenty Ford pitches nine innings as the Braves rout the Giants 10-4. So feel free to bring this up in conversation. Say something like "Did you know that Whitey Ford's team lost the only time he ever faced Juan Marichal yet Wenty Ford's team beat Juan Marichal the only time they ever faced each other?" They may look at you with a confused expression, but be confident in your recitation of obscure baseball facts!

Sadly, Wenty died in an automobile accident in 1980 at the age of only 33.