Not only is Lew Ford still playing baseball, but he’s an All-Star

Ford is playing with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
July 2, 2018 at 7:33PM
Outfielder Lew Ford during informal spring training as a Minnesota Twin in February 2007.
Outfielder Lew Ford during informal spring training as a Minnesota Twin in February 2007. (David Joles/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

I’m going to give you an unwanted earworm in a moment, but first let’s get to the good news: Lew Ford, the outfielder who last played for the Twins in … wait, that can’t be right … 2007 (wow, I’m old) and last appeared in the majors in 2012 is still playing professional baseball.

And not only that: He’s an All-Star!

Granted, Ford is playing as he has for the past several years with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. But an All-Star is an All-Star.

Ford is hitting .268, which frankly doesn’t sound that great but what do I know about the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball? He is tied for fourth in the league in RBI with 37 AND he is a player/hitting coach for the squad.

Ford will be 42 next month, so more power to him.

His best year with the Twins was 2004, when he hit .299 with 15 home runs and finished 24th in the AL MVP voting.

He and I also had a memorable exchange about computers in 2006 during a Q&A that ran in the paper:

Q: You have a reputation for being into computers. Where doesthat come from?

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A: Well, this latest time was this spring. I brought my laptopand also my desktop computer down to spring training. You know,because the desktop is more powerful and has a 19-inch flatscreenmonitor. But when we first made our road trip, I couldn’t figureout what to do with my computer, so I brought it to Toronto andCleveland. Somehow the guys found out about it, so I had to explainwhy I packed it.

Q: Where did you pack it?

A: Just with my regular luggage. I could only bring like onechange of clothes because I brought my computer.

You have to love Lew Ford. Oh, and that earworm I promised: Hey now, Lew Ford’s an All-Star, get your game on, go play.

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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