Lew Ford is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams during his career. He was born on August 12, 1976, in Beaumont, Texas, and attended college at Dallas Baptist University.
Ford was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round of the 1999 MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2003. He quickly became a fan favorite in Minnesota, known for his hustle and hard work on the field.
Over the course of his career, Ford played for several teams, including the Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Houston Astros. He was primarily an outfielder, but also played some infield positions. He was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions.
One of the highlights of Ford's career came in 2004, when he helped lead the Twins to the playoffs. He hit .299 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs that season, and was a key contributor to the team's success.
Despite his success in Minnesota, Ford struggled to find consistent playing time with other teams. He spent several years bouncing between the minor leagues and the majors, and even played in independent leagues for a time.
In 2012, Ford signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. He had a standout season, hitting .331 with 10 home runs and 85 RBIs. His performance earned him a contract with the Baltimore Orioles, and he played in 25 games for the team that season.
After the 2012 season, Ford signed with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League. He played two seasons in Japan, hitting .259 with 28 home runs and 98 RBIs.
Ford retired from professional baseball in 2015, but continued to stay involved in the sport. He worked as a hitting coach for the Ducks and also played in the Australian Baseball League.
Overall, Lew Ford had a successful career in professional baseball, despite facing some challenges along the way. He was known for his hard work and versatility on the field, and was a fan favorite in Minnesota. While he may not have been a superstar player, he was a valuable contributor to several teams throughout his career.
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