Lew Ford (born November 25, 1976) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Philadelphia Phillies between 1999 and 2002, and subsequently continued his career in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and various independent leagues.
Early life and education
Born in Tampa, Florida, Ford attended Plant High School in Tampa, where he excelled in baseball. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth round of the 1995 MLB Draft directly out of high school.
Professional career
Minor leagues (1995–1999)
Ford progressed through the Blue Jays’ farm system, reaching the Triple‑A level with the Syracuse SkyChiefs in 1999. He was noted for his speed and defensive ability in the outfield.
Major League Baseball (1999–2002)
- Toronto Blue Jays – Made his MLB debut on August 7, 1999. Ford appeared in 13 games, primarily as a pinch‑runner and defensive replacement.
- Minnesota Twins – Traded to the Twins prior to the 2000 season. In his first full MLB season (2000) he played 115 games, posting a .264 batting average, 4 home runs, and 31 runs batted in (RBI). He remained with Minnesota through the 2001 season.
- Philadelphia Phillies – Joined the Phillies organization in 2002, appearing in 12 games before being designated for assignment.
Overall MLB statistics: .257 batting average, 4 home runs, 45 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 154 games.
Japan (2005)
Ford signed with the Orix Buffaloes of NPB for the 2005 season, appearing in 52 games and recording a .252 batting average with 2 home runs and 16 RBI.
Independent and international play (2003–2015)
After his MLB tenure, Ford played for several independent clubs, most notably the Newark Bears and the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks. He was named the Atlantic League Most Valuable Player in 2008 after posting a .332 batting average, 27 home runs, and 103 RBI. Ford also had stints in the Mexican League and the Venezuelan Winter League before retiring from professional baseball in 2015.
Playing style
Ford was a left‑handed batter and thrower known for his speed on the bases, defensive versatility across all three outfield positions, and occasional power hitting.
Post‑playing career
Following retirement, Ford has been involved in coaching youth baseball programs in Florida and has occasionally worked as a baseball analyst for local media outlets.
Personal life
Ford resides in Tampa, Florida. He is married and has two children.
References
- Major League Baseball official player statistics database.
- Nippon Professional Baseball player records.
- Atlantic League of Professional Baseball historical archives.
This entry reflects information available from established baseball reference sources as of the knowledge cutoff date.