Ex-Twins News: MVP Lew Ford

With the Twins off today, I started reminiscing about the games I saw as a child. I thought about the Metrodome and all the White Sox games I attended. All the times I sat in the left field seats prepped with a fake ball to throw back in case I caught an opposing team’s home run. All the past favorite players I had. One in particular stood out, Lew Ford.

he would win multiple MVP awards, have his number retired by the Twins, be inducted into the Hall of Fame and be the greatest player ever

Lew Ford played outfield for the Twins from 2003 to 2007. He wasn’t anything special but was a fan favorite. Every time he came to the plate he would receive a chorus of “Leeeeeeewww” from the home crowd, much like Trevor Plouffe. However for Plouffe, it isn’t close to what Lew Ford heard.

Since Ford was my favorite player I assumed as a child that he would win multiple MVP awards, have his number retired by the Twins, be inducted into the Hall of Fame and be the greatest player ever. Of course all of these are unrealistic but a kid can dare to dream.

Curiously I searched for Lew Ford and found out that he is still playing baseball for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. A team that also consists of two other former Twins, switch-hitting catcher Jose Morales and outfielder Erik Komatsu. Ford, age 38, doubles up as the hitting coach for the Ducks, as well as playing for them.  He even won an MVP award. Well, sort of. Last year Ford was honored with the Atlantic Player of the Year award. According to his player bio on the Ducks official website he,

"led the league in doubles with 40 and finished second in batting average (.347), RBI (95), runs (100), total bases (278) and on-base percentage (.415)."

Currently Ford is leading the Atlantic League in RBI, doubles, and hits. He is also third best in batting average.

I loved watching him play and still remember waiting all day in line at a Dick’s Sporting Goods just to have him autograph a baseball for me. It still clearly reads, “To Martin, Go Twins
Lew Ford”