Three-year Duck joins Baltimore Orioles
(Baltimore, Maryland, July 29, 2012) – Lew Ford was called up to the Major Leagues by the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, making the outfielder the 13th former Duck to return to the big leagues after playing with Long Island. The Ducks have had more than 60 players signed to deals with MLB clubs and had more than 100 former big leaguers play with the club since inception in 2000. Ford joins Carlos Baerga, Bill Pulsipher, Nelson Figueroa, Pedro Borbon, Jr., Ken Ray, Mel Stocker, Jay Gibbons, Erick Almonte, Robinson Cancel, Joey Gathright, Justin Hampson and Kip Wells as Ducks that have made it back to the game’s highest level after playing at the Duck Pond.
CLICK HERE to watch a highlight from Ford’s return to the Major Leagues
CLICK HERE to watch a highlight of Lew Ford’s double at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, 7/31
CLICK HERE to read an article from Newsday about Ford’s return to the big leagues
Ford, who started in left field and batted fifth on Sunday for the Orioles, was signed by the Orioles on May 18 and posted team-highs in batting average (.331) and home runs (11) along with 40 RBI and 14 doubles in 62 games with Norfolk. Ford began 2012 with the Ducks, where he batted .333 (25-for-75) in 19 games prior to having his contract purchased. The 35-year-old also spent time with Long Island in 2011 and 2009 and has a .326 batting average with 24 homers and 114 RBI in 184 games in the Atlantic League during his career.
The Texas native returns to the Major Leagues for the first time since September 30, 2007, when he appeared in a contest as a member of the Minnesota Twins. He spent five consecutive seasons with the Twins (2003-2007) at the big league level, posting a .272 batting average with 32 home runs, 172 RBI, 80 doubles and 47 stolen bases in 494 games. Ford was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 12th round of the 1999 amateur draft.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
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