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{{short description|American baseball player}}
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1976)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Lew Ford
|name=Lew Ford
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|caption=Ford with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012
|caption=Ford with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012
|team=Long Island Ducks
|team=Long Island Ducks
|number=20
|number=
|position=[[Outfielder]]/[[hitting coach|Hitting Coach]]
|position=[[Outfielder]] / [[Manager (baseball)|Manager]]
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1976|8|12}}
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1976|8|12}}
|birth_place=[[Beaumont, Texas]]
|birth_place=[[Beaumont, Texas]], U.S.
|bats=Right
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|throws=Right
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|debutyear=2003
|debutyear=2003
|debutteam=Minnesota Twins
|debutteam=Minnesota Twins
|debut2league = NPB
|debut2date= March 28
|debut2year= 2008
|debut2team= Hanshin Tigers
|finalleague = MLB
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate= September 29
|finaldate=September 29
|finalyear= 2012
|finalyear=2012
|finalteam= Baltimore Orioles
|finalteam=Baltimore Orioles
|final2league = NPB
|final2date= July 20
|final2year= 2008
|final2team= Hanshin Tigers
|statleague = MLB
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
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* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|2012}})
* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|2012}})
}}
}}
'''Jon Lewis Ford''' (born August 12, 1976) is an American [[professional baseball]] [[outfielder]] and [[hitting coach]] for the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Minnesota Twins]] and [[Baltimore Orioles]]. He also played in [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] (NPB) for the [[Hanshin Tigers]], in the [[Mexican League]] for the [[Guerreros de Oaxaca]], and in the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball]] for the [[Long Island Ducks]].
'''Jon Lewis Ford''' (born August 12, 1976) is an American former [[professional baseball]] [[outfielder]] and current [[manager (baseball)|manager]] for the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball]]. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[Minnesota Twins]] and [[Baltimore Orioles]], and in [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] (NPB) for the [[Hanshin Tigers]].


==Career==
==Career==
Ford is a 1994 graduate of [[Port Neches–Groves High School]] where he played football and baseball and a 1999 graduate of [[Dallas Baptist University]]. He also played college baseball at [[Texas A&M University]] and [[Seminole State College (Oklahoma)|Seminole Junior College]] and [[Lee College]].
Ford is a 1994 graduate of [[Port Neches–Groves High School]] where he played football and baseball and is also a 1999 graduate of [[Dallas Baptist University]]. He also played college baseball at [[Texas A&M University]], [[Seminole State College (Oklahoma)|Seminole State Junior College]], and [[Lee College]].


===Boston Red Sox===
===Boston Red Sox===
In 1998, Ford was a first team All American at Dallas Baptist. He set their single school batting record, batting .507 over the course of more than 50 games. In spite of this, Ford was not chosen in the MLB draft. He came back the following year and had another season at Dallas Baptist, after which he was drafted by the [[Boston Red Sox]] in the 12th round of the [[1999 Major League Baseball Draft|1999 amateur draft]].
In 1998, Ford was a first team All-American at Dallas Baptist. He set their single school batting record, batting .507 over the course of more than 50 games. In spite of this, Ford was not chosen in the MLB draft. He came back the following year and had another season at Dallas Baptist, after which he was drafted by the [[Boston Red Sox]] in the 12th round of the [[1999 Major League Baseball Draft|1999 amateur draft]].


In {{Baseball year|2000}}, he played his first full year of Single-A ball for the [[Augusta Greenjackets]] of the [[South Atlantic League]]. He had a good season, stealing 52 of 56 bases, and established the team single-season batting record by hitting .315, adding 74 RBI from the leadoff spot. [[Baseball America]] named him as the best defensive outfielder in Class A, and [[The Sporting News]] identified him as the Best 5-Tool Prospect in the Red Sox organization. He led minor league baseball in runs scored with 122.
In 2000, he played his first full year of Single-A ball for the [[Augusta Greenjackets]] of the [[South Atlantic League]]. He had a good season, stealing 52 of 56 bases and established the team single-season batting record by hitting .315, adding 74 RBI from the leadoff spot. [[Baseball America]] named him as the best defensive outfielder in Class-A and [[The Sporting News]] identified him as the Best 5-Tool Prospect in the Red Sox organization. He led all of minor league baseball in runs scored with 122.


===Minnesota Twins===
===Minnesota Twins===
On September 9, 2000, Ford was traded to the [[Minnesota Twins]] for [[Héctor Carrasco]]. He also led Minor League Baseball in runs scored in {{Baseball year|2002}}.
On September 9, 2000, Ford was traded to the [[Minnesota Twins]] for [[Héctor Carrasco]]. He also led all of Minor League Baseball in runs scored in 2002.


He is known for an episode of accidentally burning himself with a hotel iron,<ref>{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Barzilai |title=Twins getting mileage from Ford |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/twins/2004-05-20-ford-feature_x.htm |publisher=USA Today |date=2004-05-20 |accessdate=2007-12-17 }}</ref> which is often erroneously told as a result of the attempted ironing of a shirt while wearing it.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Caple |title= Twins ride Ford's focus|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/040512 |work=ESPN.com |accessdate=2007-12-17 }}</ref>
He is known for an episode of accidentally burning himself with a hotel iron,<ref>{{cite news |last=Barzilai |first=Peter |date=May 20, 2004 |title=Twins getting mileage form Ford |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/twins/2004-05-20-ford-feature_x.htm |accessdate=December 18, 2007 |work=USA Today}}</ref> which is often erroneously told as a result of the attempted ironing of a shirt while wearing it.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Caple |title= Twins ride Ford's focus|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/040512 |work=ESPN.com |access-date=December 17, 2007 }}</ref>


In {{Baseball year|2004}}, he finished tied for 24th in American League Most Valuable Player balloting, garnering a total 2 points out of a possible 392.
In 2004, he finished tied for 24th in the American League's Most Valuable Player balloting, garnering a total 2 points out of a possible 392.


Ford was named [[American League|AL]] Player of the Week for the week ending August 21, {{Baseball year|2005}}. He helped the Twins take three of four games from the [[Seattle Mariners]] after hitting 12-for-33, including three home runs, and leading the league in [[Runs batted in|RBI]] and runs for that week.
Ford was named [[American League|AL]] Player of the Week for the week ending August 21, 2005. He helped the Twins take three out of four games from the [[Seattle Mariners]] after hitting 12-for-33, including 3 home runs, and leading the league in RBI's and runs for that week.


Ford was outrighted to the minor leagues on October 5, {{Baseball year|2007}}, but refused the assignment and became a [[free agent]].
Ford was out-righted to the minor leagues on October 5, 2007, but refused the assignment and became a [[free agent]].


===Hanshin Tigers===
===Hanshin Tigers===
[[File:HT-Lewis-Ford.jpg|left|thumb|Ford batting for the [[Hanshin Tigers]] in 2008.]]
[[File:HT-Lewis-Ford.jpg|left|thumb|Ford batting for the [[Hanshin Tigers]] in 2008.]]
Ford signed with the [[Hanshin Tigers]] in Japan's [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] on November 29, 2007.
Ford Signed with the [[Hanshin Tigers]] in Japan's [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] on November 29, 2007.


===Colorado Rockies===
===Colorado Rockies===
In March {{Baseball year|2009}}, he signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies, but did not play the season there.
In March 2009, Ford signed a minor league contract with the [[Colorado Rockies]], but did not play the season there.


===Long Island Ducks/Cincinnati Reds===
===Long Island Ducks/Cincinnati Reds===
On August&nbsp;24, 2009, Ford signed a minor league contract with the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. Ford was a member of the [[Long Island Ducks]] in 2009 when he posted 10 home runs, 2 triples, and 55 RBI in 93 games. The Texas native finished second in the league in batting average (.330) and fourth in on-base percentage (.407). His efforts earned him a contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.
On August 24, 2009, Ford signed a minor league contract with the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. Ford was a member of the [[Long Island Ducks]] when he posted 10 home runs, 2 triples, and 55 RBI's in 93 games. The Texas native finished second in the league in batting average (.330) and fourth in on-base percentage (.407). His efforts earned him a contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.


===Guerreros de Oaxaca===
===Guerreros de Oaxaca===
Played in (2010) with [[Guerreros de Oaxaca]] in the [[Mexican League]].
Played in (2010) with the [[Guerreros de Oaxaca]] of the [[Mexican League]].


===Second stint with Long Island Ducks===
===Second stint with Long Island Ducks===
March 7, 2011 Ford signed with the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the [[independent baseball|independent]] [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]].
On March 7, 2011, Ford signed with the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the [[Independent baseball|independent]] [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]].


===Baltimore Orioles===
===Baltimore Orioles===
May 19, 2012 Ford signed with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] who sent him down to the Triple-A [[Norfolk Tides]].
On May 19, 2012, Ford signed with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] who later that same day sent him down to the [[Norfolk Tides]] of Triple-A.


On July 29, 2012 Ford appeared in an MLB lineup for the first time since 2007. He batted fifth and played left field for the Orioles. Ford hit home runs for the Orioles in consecutive games against the [[Chicago White Sox]] on August 27–28, 2012. He finished the year hitting .183/.256/.352 with 3 HR and 4 RBI in 25 games. On November 2, Ford was outrighted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency on November 6. On November 9, Ford signed a minor league contract with the Orioles with an invitation to spring training.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/mlb-rumors/20906840/orioles-sign-lew-ford-to-minor-league-contract-with-spring-training-invitation |title=Orioles sign Lew Ford to minor league contract with spring training invitation |work=CBS Sports |first=Jack |last=Moore |date=November 9, 2012}}</ref>
On July 29, 2012, Ford appeared in an MLB lineup for the first time since 2007. He batted fifth and played left field for the Orioles. Ford hit home runs for the Orioles in consecutive games against the [[Chicago White Sox]] on August 27–28, 2012. He finished the year hitting .183/.256/.352 with 3 HR's and 4 RBI's in 25 games. On November 2, Ford was out-righted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency four days later. On November 9, Ford signed a minor league contract with the Orioles and was invited to the Oriole's spring training.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/mlb-rumors/20906840/orioles-sign-lew-ford-to-minor-league-contract-with-spring-training-invitation |title=Orioles sign Lew Ford to minor league contract with spring training invitation |work=CBS Sports |first=Jack |last=Moore |date=November 9, 2012}}</ref>


===Third stint with Long Island Ducks===
===Long Island Ducks (third stint)===
In August 2013, Ford was released from the Bowie Baysox, the Orioles' AA affiliate.<ref>{{cite web|last=Melewski|first=Steve|url=https://twitter.com/masnSteve/statuses/372079023653797889|accessdate=26 August 2013}}</ref> He finished the 2013 season playing for the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|Atlantic League]]. Ford started the 2014 season playing for the Ducks as a starting outfielder.
On August 26, 2013, Ford was released from the [[Bowie Baysox]], the Orioles' Double-A affiliate.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=372079023653797889 |user=masnSteve |title=O's move Cuban OF Dariel Alvarez to AA Bowie from Frederick and have released OF Lew Ford who was with Baysox. |first=Steve |last=Melewski |date=2013-08-26 |access-date=2024-10-16}}</ref> He finished the 2013 season playing for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. Ford stated the 2014 season playing for the Ducks as a starting outfielder.


On October 29, 2014, Lew Ford was named the 2014 Atlantic League Player of the Year. Ford's 2014 season was highlighted by breaking two Atlantic League records. He finished the year with 189 hits, surpassing the previous high of 179 set by Victor Rodriguez (Somerset) in 2004. In addition, Ford became the first player in league history to play in all 140 games during the regular season. Navarrete and Wayne Lydon (Camden) had previously held the record of 139, which was set in 2009. The 38-year-old led the Atlantic League in doubles (40) during the 2014 campaign and finished second in batting average (.347), RBI (95), runs (100), total bases (278) and on-base percentage (.415). Ford earned Atlantic League Player of the Month honors in May after compiling a .402 batting average, 47 hits and .470 on-base percentage. Two months later, he was selected to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. The former big leaguer's defense was also outstanding, as he did not commit a single error in 97 games played in the outfield.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.liducks.com/news/current/?article_id=878|title = Ford Named Atlantic League Player of the Year}}</ref> He became a free agent after the 2016 season.
On October 29, 2014, Ford was named the 2014 Atlantic League Player of the Year. Ford's 2014 season was highlighted by breaking two Atlantic League records. He finished the year with 189 hits, surpassing the previous high of 170 set by Victor Rodriguez ([[Somerset Patriots|Somerset]]) in 2004. In addition, Ford became the first player in league history to play in all 140 games during the regular season. Navarrete and Wayne Lydon (Camden) had previously held the record of 139, which was set in 2009. The 38-year old led the Atlantic League in doubles (40) during the 2014 campaign and finished second in batting average (.347), runs batted in (95), runs scored (100), total bases (278), and on-base percentage (.415). Ford earned Atlantic League Player of the Month honors in May after compiling a .402 batting average with 47 hits and a .470 on-base percentage. Two months later, he was selected to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game at [[Constellation Field]] in [[Sugar Land, Texas]]. The former big leaguer's defense was also outstanding, as he did not commit a single error in 97 games played in the outfield.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-29 |title=Ford Named Atlantic League Player of the Year |url=https://liducks.com/ford-named-atlantic-league-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Long Island Ducks}}</ref> He became a free agent after the 2016 season.


On May 28, 2017, Ford re-signed with the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball]] for the 2017 season. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alpb.bbstats.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174|title=404 Not Found}}</ref>
On May 28, 2017, Ford re-signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League for the 2017 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ALPB- 2017 - Transactions |url=http://alpb.bbstats.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609052654/http://alpb.bbstats.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174 |archive-date=2017-06-09 |website=Atlantic League}}</ref>


On February 6, 2018, Ford re-signed with the [[Long Island Ducks]] for the 2018 season. <ref>http://atlanticleague.com/about/press-releases/?article_id=888</ref>
On February 6, 2018, Ford re-signed with the Long Island Ducks for the 2018 season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://atlanticleague.com/about/press-releases/?atrticle_id=888 |title=Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Around the League |access-date=February 6, 2018 |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207010130/http://atlanticleague.com/about/press-releases/?article_id=888 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


On January 15, 2019, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 10th season with the club, and his sixth as a [[player-coach]].
On January 15, 2019, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 10th season with the club, and his sixth as a [[player-coach]].


On January 30, 2020, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for what would have been his 11th season, and seventh as player-coach. However, Ford did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 ALPB season because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He became a free agent after the season.
On January 30, 2020, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for what would've been his 11th season, and seventh as a player-coach. However, Ford did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 ALPB season because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He became a free agent after the season.


On March 4, 2021, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 11th season with the club, and seventh as player-coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/darin-downs-hired-as-ducks-pitching-coach/n-5671722|title=Darin Downs Hired as Ducks Pitching Coach|date=4 March 2021}}</ref>
On March 4, 2021, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 11th season with the club and seventh as a player-coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 4, 2021 |title=Darin Downs Hired as Ducks Pitching Coach |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/darin-downs-hired-as-ducks-pitching-coach/n-5671722 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=OurSportsCentral}}</ref> On October 2, Ford collected his 964 career hit for the Ducks, becoming the Ducks' all-time hit leader.<ref>{{cite web |date=2021-10-02 |title=Lew Ford Becomes Ducks All-Time Hits Leader |url=https://www.liducks.com/news/current/?atricle_id=2453 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022070901/https://liducks.com/news/current/?article_id=2453 |archive-date=2021-10-22 |website=Long Island Ducks}}</ref>

On January 12, 2022, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 12th season with the team, and eighth as a player-coach.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 12, 2022 |title=Ducks Announce Coaching Staff for 2022 Season |url=https://liducks.com/ducks-announce-coaching-staff-for-2022-season/ |access-date=January 19, 2022 |work=Long Island Ducks}}</ref> On August 28, Ford recorded his 1,000th ALPB hit in a game against the [[Charleston Dirty Birds]]. In doing so, he became the fourth player in Atlantic League history to achieve the feat, joining [[Bryant Nelson]], Jeff Nettles, and Ray Navarrete.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ford Reaches 1,000-Hit Mark As Ducks Take Series From Dirty Birds |url=https://liducks.com/ford-reaches-1000-hit-mark-as-ducks-take-series-from-dirty-birds/ |access-date=June 14, 2023 |website=Long Island Ducks |language=en}}</ref>

On January 31, 2023, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 13th season with the club, and ninth season as a player-coach.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ducks Announce 2023 Coaching Staff|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/ducks-announce-2023-coaching-staff/n-5920069|access-date=February 1, 2023|website=oursportscentral.com|date=January 31, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 35 games, he batted .340/.389/.460 with one home run and 14 RBI.

==Coaching career==
After spending the past nine seasons as a player coach, on November 15, 2023, Ford was named the manager for the [[Long Island Ducks]] of the [[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-15 |title=Lew Ford named 7th manager in Ducks history |url=https://www.atlanticleague.com/news/?article_id=2423 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119115300/https://www.atlanticleague.com/news/?article_id=2423 |archive-date=2023-11-19 |access-date= |website=Atlantic League |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat|Lew Ford}}
{{commons category|Lew Ford}}
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=217915|br=f/fordle01|fangraphs=1724|brm=ford--001jon}}
{{Baseballstats|mlb=217915|br=f/fordle01|fangraphs=1724|brm=ford--001jon}}
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[[Category:Augusta GreenJackets players]]
[[Category:Augusta GreenJackets players]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from Texas]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from Texas]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Texas]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Beaumont, Texas]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]]
[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]]
[[Category:Bowie Baysox players]]
[[Category:Bowie Baysox players]]
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[[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
[[Category:Fort Myers Miracle players]]
[[Category:Fort Myers Miracle players]]
[[Category:Guerreros de Oaxaca players]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Orioles players]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast Orioles players]]
[[Category:Hanshin Tigers players]]
[[Category:Hanshin Tigers players]]
[[Category:Long Island Ducks coaches]]
[[Category:Long Island Ducks players]]
[[Category:Long Island Ducks players]]
[[Category:Louisville Bats players]]
[[Category:Louisville Bats players]]
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[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
[[Category:Rochester Red Wings players]]
[[Category:Rochester Red Wings players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Beaumont, Texas]]
[[Category:Texas A&M Aggies baseball players]]
[[Category:Texas A&M Aggies baseball players]]
[[Category:Toros de Tijuana players]]
[[Category:Toros de Tijuana players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:Toros del Este players]]
[[Category:Toros del Este players]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic]]

Latest revision as of 10:31, 31 December 2024

Lew Ford
Ford with the Baltimore Orioles in 2012
Long Island Ducks
Outfielder / Manager
Born: (1976-08-12) August 12, 1976 (age 48)
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 29, 2003, for the Minnesota Twins
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 2012, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
Batting average.268
Home runs35
Runs batted in176
NPB statistics
Batting average.225
Home runs3
Runs batted in11
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Jon Lewis Ford (born August 12, 1976) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and current manager for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hanshin Tigers.

Career

[edit]

Ford is a 1994 graduate of Port Neches–Groves High School where he played football and baseball and is also a 1999 graduate of Dallas Baptist University. He also played college baseball at Texas A&M University, Seminole State Junior College, and Lee College.

Boston Red Sox

[edit]

In 1998, Ford was a first team All-American at Dallas Baptist. He set their single school batting record, batting .507 over the course of more than 50 games. In spite of this, Ford was not chosen in the MLB draft. He came back the following year and had another season at Dallas Baptist, after which he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round of the 1999 amateur draft.

In 2000, he played his first full year of Single-A ball for the Augusta Greenjackets of the South Atlantic League. He had a good season, stealing 52 of 56 bases and established the team single-season batting record by hitting .315, adding 74 RBI from the leadoff spot. Baseball America named him as the best defensive outfielder in Class-A and The Sporting News identified him as the Best 5-Tool Prospect in the Red Sox organization. He led all of minor league baseball in runs scored with 122.

Minnesota Twins

[edit]

On September 9, 2000, Ford was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Héctor Carrasco. He also led all of Minor League Baseball in runs scored in 2002.

He is known for an episode of accidentally burning himself with a hotel iron,[1] which is often erroneously told as a result of the attempted ironing of a shirt while wearing it.[2]

In 2004, he finished tied for 24th in the American League's Most Valuable Player balloting, garnering a total 2 points out of a possible 392.

Ford was named AL Player of the Week for the week ending August 21, 2005. He helped the Twins take three out of four games from the Seattle Mariners after hitting 12-for-33, including 3 home runs, and leading the league in RBI's and runs for that week.

Ford was out-righted to the minor leagues on October 5, 2007, but refused the assignment and became a free agent.

Hanshin Tigers

[edit]
Ford batting for the Hanshin Tigers in 2008.

Ford Signed with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball on November 29, 2007.

Colorado Rockies

[edit]

In March 2009, Ford signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies, but did not play the season there.

Long Island Ducks/Cincinnati Reds

[edit]

On August 24, 2009, Ford signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Ford was a member of the Long Island Ducks when he posted 10 home runs, 2 triples, and 55 RBI's in 93 games. The Texas native finished second in the league in batting average (.330) and fourth in on-base percentage (.407). His efforts earned him a contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.

Guerreros de Oaxaca

[edit]

Played in (2010) with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.

Second stint with Long Island Ducks

[edit]

On March 7, 2011, Ford signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League.

Baltimore Orioles

[edit]

On May 19, 2012, Ford signed with the Baltimore Orioles who later that same day sent him down to the Norfolk Tides of Triple-A.

On July 29, 2012, Ford appeared in an MLB lineup for the first time since 2007. He batted fifth and played left field for the Orioles. Ford hit home runs for the Orioles in consecutive games against the Chicago White Sox on August 27–28, 2012. He finished the year hitting .183/.256/.352 with 3 HR's and 4 RBI's in 25 games. On November 2, Ford was out-righted off the 40-man roster and elected free agency four days later. On November 9, Ford signed a minor league contract with the Orioles and was invited to the Oriole's spring training.[3]

Long Island Ducks (third stint)

[edit]

On August 26, 2013, Ford was released from the Bowie Baysox, the Orioles' Double-A affiliate.[4] He finished the 2013 season playing for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. Ford stated the 2014 season playing for the Ducks as a starting outfielder.

On October 29, 2014, Ford was named the 2014 Atlantic League Player of the Year. Ford's 2014 season was highlighted by breaking two Atlantic League records. He finished the year with 189 hits, surpassing the previous high of 170 set by Victor Rodriguez (Somerset) in 2004. In addition, Ford became the first player in league history to play in all 140 games during the regular season. Navarrete and Wayne Lydon (Camden) had previously held the record of 139, which was set in 2009. The 38-year old led the Atlantic League in doubles (40) during the 2014 campaign and finished second in batting average (.347), runs batted in (95), runs scored (100), total bases (278), and on-base percentage (.415). Ford earned Atlantic League Player of the Month honors in May after compiling a .402 batting average with 47 hits and a .470 on-base percentage. Two months later, he was selected to play in the Atlantic League All-Star Game at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. The former big leaguer's defense was also outstanding, as he did not commit a single error in 97 games played in the outfield.[5] He became a free agent after the 2016 season.

On May 28, 2017, Ford re-signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League for the 2017 season.[6]

On February 6, 2018, Ford re-signed with the Long Island Ducks for the 2018 season.[7]

On January 15, 2019, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 10th season with the club, and his sixth as a player-coach.

On January 30, 2020, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for what would've been his 11th season, and seventh as a player-coach. However, Ford did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 ALPB season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He became a free agent after the season.

On March 4, 2021, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 11th season with the club and seventh as a player-coach.[8] On October 2, Ford collected his 964 career hit for the Ducks, becoming the Ducks' all-time hit leader.[9]

On January 12, 2022, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 12th season with the team, and eighth as a player-coach.[10] On August 28, Ford recorded his 1,000th ALPB hit in a game against the Charleston Dirty Birds. In doing so, he became the fourth player in Atlantic League history to achieve the feat, joining Bryant Nelson, Jeff Nettles, and Ray Navarrete.[11]

On January 31, 2023, Ford re-signed with the Ducks for his 13th season with the club, and ninth season as a player-coach.[12] In 35 games, he batted .340/.389/.460 with one home run and 14 RBI.

Coaching career

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After spending the past nine seasons as a player coach, on November 15, 2023, Ford was named the manager for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Barzilai, Peter (May 20, 2004). "Twins getting mileage form Ford". USA Today. Retrieved December 18, 2007.
  2. ^ Caple, Jim. "Twins ride Ford's focus". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  3. ^ Moore, Jack (November 9, 2012). "Orioles sign Lew Ford to minor league contract with spring training invitation". CBS Sports.
  4. ^ Melewski, Steve [@masnSteve] (August 26, 2013). "O's move Cuban OF Dariel Alvarez to AA Bowie from Frederick and have released OF Lew Ford who was with Baysox" (Tweet). Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Ford Named Atlantic League Player of the Year". Long Island Ducks. October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "ALPB- 2017 - Transactions". Atlantic League. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017.
  7. ^ "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Around the League". Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  8. ^ "Darin Downs Hired as Ducks Pitching Coach". OurSportsCentral. March 4, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "Lew Ford Becomes Ducks All-Time Hits Leader". Long Island Ducks. October 2, 2021. Archived from the original on October 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Ducks Announce Coaching Staff for 2022 Season". Long Island Ducks. January 12, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  11. ^ "Ford Reaches 1,000-Hit Mark As Ducks Take Series From Dirty Birds". Long Island Ducks. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  12. ^ "Ducks Announce 2023 Coaching Staff". oursportscentral.com. January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  13. ^ "Lew Ford named 7th manager in Ducks history". Atlantic League. November 15, 2023. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023.
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