Early Struggles in the Majors
Ted Ford, a former first-round draft pick by the Cleveland Indians in 1966, found it difficult to establish himself at the big-league level. Over parts of two seasons, he batted just .190 in his first 100 MLB games.
Catching Ted Williams’ Attention
In a 1971 matchup against the Washington Senators, Ford hit a ball to the wall that impressed opposing manager—and Hall of Famer—Ted Williams. “When they moved to Texas and were looking to make some moves the next spring, Williams recommended me,” Ford recalled in a 2015 interview.
Breakout with the Inaugural Texas Rangers
Before the 1972 season, Ford was traded to the newly relocated Texas Rangers, where he became one of the few offensive bright spots. While the team as a whole managed only 56 home runs—a total modern sluggers can surpass individually—Ford hit 14, the only Ranger to reach double digits that year. He played 129 games, the most of his four-year MLB career (1970–73).
Short MLB Career and Return to Cleveland
Despite Ford’s efforts, the Rangers lost 100 games, prompting Williams to resign. Ford was dealt back to Cleveland in 1973, where he played just 11 more big-league games before his major league career ended.
From Early Promise to Life After Baseball
Drafted 11th overall out of Vineland (N.J.) High School, Ford began his professional career in Dubuque, Iowa, where he homered in his first at-bat and tripled next—a start the Cleveland Plain-Dealerdescribed as “nowhere to go but down.” After years in the minors, he earned his first MLB call-up at age 23 following a .326 season with Triple-A Wichita.
Coaching Legacy and Family Ties
Although his time in the majors was brief, Ford went on to coach youth baseball in New Jersey and later at Huston-Tillotson University in Texas. His baseball lineage continued through his grandson, Darren Ford, who played parts of two seasons (2010–11) with the San Francisco Giants.
Passing
The Texas Rangers announced Monday that Ted Ford has died at age 78, leaving behind a legacy that stretched from a promising debut to mentoring the next generation of players.
