The Long Island Ducks have announced a very special addition to their 25th Anniversary Team. Current Manager and former outfielder Lew Ford has been chosen as the 15th member of the team.
Ford played for the Ducks for longer than anyone else with a 13-year playing career. During his time with the Ducks, he set a team record for hits with 1,036, and he ranks second all-time in batting average with a .318 mark. (min. 1,000 at-bats). Ford also ranks second in games played, RBIs, runs scored, doubles, extra-base hits, and total bases.
It's not just for the Ducks that Ford set high marks as he ranks second in Atlantic League history for doubles, third for hits, fourth in both total bases and extra-base hits, and fifth in both RBIs and runs. Ford was a part of the Flock's winning ways as he was part of three championship-winning teams in 2012, 2013, and 2019. He also was on the team for eight division titles and 11 postseason appearances during his playing career.
Ford had his taste of the major leagues, as in 2012, his contract was purchased by the Baltimore Orioles and was promoted to the Major Leagues later that same year. He spent six seasons in the majors with the Orioles and the majority of his years with the Minnesota Twins. For his major league career, Ford finished with a .744 OPS and finished in the top 25 for the MVP award in his second season.
In the Atlantic League, he was named Player of the Year in 2014, setting league single-season records for hits with 189 and games played at 140. He earned three All-Star Game selections and was selected to two Postseason All-Star teams.
Ford now resides with his family in Selden, N.Y., and is entering his second season as Ducks manager.