Lew Ford, 2013

[Il BuonO]

Man, I just remembered I hate Lew Ford.

That's what I'm talking about!!!

[Frobby]

.

Lew Ford went 3-for-3 tonight, and has a .529 batting average.

I don't think that he'll make the team when we go north next month, but I really admire his Harry Greb-like style of non-stop punching in his profession, whether it be in spring training, the regular season, the Japanese Leagues, AAA baseball, or the Independent Leagues.

No matter where he is, Ford always lets both hands go, and doesn't stop swinging until his manager tells him to get off of the field.

Love that icon! Ford's making it tough to send him down.

[Frobby]

I had lunch with my dad today and said the Orioles would have won a lot more games with Lew Ford playing instead of Thome. He couldn't figure out why they traded for him. I don't totally agree with that because Thome brought a lot of intangibles, but he probably is right.

Lew is simply continuing last year's assault on mlb pitching!

Thome: .257/.348/.396

Ford: .183/.256/.352

That's an "assault" on major league pitching? Ford was a nice story and had a few key hits. Overall, he was disappointing to me after raking in Norfolk. Thome contributed more.

[DrungoHazewood]

Thome: .257/.348/.396

Ford: .183/.256/.352

That's an "assault" on major league pitching? Ford was a nice story and had a few key hits. Overall, he was disappointing to me after raking in Norfolk. Thome contributed more.

Lew Ford is an awesome story, and he had to think he was living the dream starting some MLB playoff games at 35 years old after hitting .183 and years wandering in the indy league wilderness. In a lot of ways he epitomized the 2012 Orioles. But Thome was unquestionably more productive last year for the Orioles.

[isestrex]

Lew put up a .939 OPS at Norfolk in half a season and played through a sports hernia with the O's. He didn't do well, but I'll cut him a little slack. I think Pearce deserves a bench job but I wouldn't be against giving Lew another chance.

And yet he still didn't really perform in his time with the club.... .183/.256/.352/.609

[Il BuonO]

Lew put up a .939 OPS at Norfolk in half a season and played through a sports hernia with the O's. He didn't do well, but I'll cut him a little slack. I think Pearce deserves a bench job but I wouldn't be against giving Lew another chance.

Did not know that. When the "Hate Lew Ford" thread was started I was lobbying for his call up but this year we seem to be deeper with bench candidates. Seem to. That doesn't equate to Buck's favorite 'want to' which Lew has in spades.

[radar303]

If Lew Ford is on your team and playing a good bit... you just can't be a very good team. He is a fill in, after thought and triple A fodder at best. He reminds me of Joe Orsulak, who was a

fan favorite but in reality was not very good. Good story but not much talent. Just because plays hard doesn't mean he is good. If he was good wouldn't he be the starter in Houston?

[Frobby]

Lew put up a .939 OPS at Norfolk in half a season and played through a sports hernia with the O's. He didn't do well, but I'll cut him a little slack. I think Pearce deserves a bench job but I wouldn't be against giving Lew another chance.

I forgot about the sports hernia. But, it appears that occurred in mid-to-late September, and he didn't really hit well before that cropped up. His OPS never got above .686 at any time while he was with the O's. He started 19 games and only had 2 multi-hit games, while going hitless 8 times.

That said, I agree we should cut Lew some slack. He kicked butt at Norfolk and he's doing it this spring. Maybe that would translate to a decent major league performance in 2013.

[DrungoHazewood]

If Lew Ford is on your team and playing a good bit... you just can't be a very good team. He is a fill in, after thought and triple A fodder at best. He reminds me of Joe Orsulak, who was a

fan favorite but in reality was not very good. Good story but not much talent. Just because plays hard doesn't mean he is good. If he was good wouldn't he be the starter in Houston?

Just about everything in this post is flawed. Even spectacularly great teams have journeymen filling backup roles. Were the 114-win 1998 Yankees not a "very good team" because they gave 150 PAs to Luis Sojo?

Lew Ford isn't starting for Houston because talent isn't evenly distributed in baseball and the system isn't set up to naturally flow talent exactly where it's needed. When a guy is stuck in one organization he can't just go to the GM and say "hey, the Astros really need a right fielder, will you just tear up my contract and ignore your organizational needs so can I go play for them?"

[radar303]

Other teams could have picked Lew off the scrap heap a number of times. The Astros are just an example. My point is that he hasn't the talent to a team that has aspirations. What I am saying is that just because he hustles does not make him GOOD and if he is playing a lot for your team, the team is not very good.

Just about everything in this post is flawed. Even spectacularly great teams have journeymen filling backup roles. Were the 114-win 1998 Yankees not a "very good team" because they gave 150 PAs to Luis Sojo?

Lew Ford isn't starting for Houston because talent isn't evenly distributed in baseball and the system isn't set up to naturally flow talent exactly where it's needed. When a guy is stuck in one organization he can't just go to the GM and say "hey, the Astros really need a right fielder, will you just tear up my contract and ignore your organizational needs so can I go play for them?"

[BoltonBob]

Just about everything in this post is flawed. Even spectacularly great teams have journeymen filling backup roles. Were the 114-win 1998 Yankees not a "very good team" because they gave 150 PAs to Luis Sojo?

Lew Ford isn't starting for Houston because talent isn't evenly distributed in baseball and the system isn't set up to naturally flow talent exactly where it's needed. When a guy is stuck in one organization he can't just go to the GM and say "hey, the Astros really need a right fielder, will you just tear up my contract and ignore your organizational needs so can I go play for them?"

Perfect analogy - Al Bumbry, Curt Moton, Curt Blefrey, Joey O, Note McLouth, Travis Driscoll, Rod Lopez, Dave Johnson, and Steve Johnson to name a few bring a lot to the table when it comes to "pieces to puzzle," clubhouse chemistry, and "want to." And they know their place and how to stay ready..... and they're "cheap" so you have money to spend on others, or slots for Minor Leagers to fill/try out (Think Manny and X)

Edited March 13, 2013 by BoltonBob

[DrinkinWithFermi]

Other teams could have picked Lew off the scrap heap a number of times. The Astros are just an example. My point is that he hasn't the talent to a team that has aspirations. What I am saying is that just because he hustles does not make him GOOD and if he is playing a lot for your team, the team is not very good.

A guy doesn't necessarily have to be a complete, well-rounded player to contribute something to the cause. If Ford can hit lefties consistently and play solid defense as a part-time player off the bench, then he could be have a decent amount of value for the Orioles in 2013. All teams use role players, even the mighty Yankees and Dodgers, and generally speaking, guys that end up as role players are flawed- pretty good at a couple of specialized things(i.e. hitting lefties), and not very good at everything else. And it just so happens that the Orioles may have a role that Lew Ford could possibly fill- a part-time RH DH, which should amount to 200ish PAs.

Lew Ford holding a roster spot as a role player for all or part of the season has no bearing on whether or not the Orioles are a good team or not. That will fall on the shoulders of the guys playing everyday and especially the guys pitching every fifth day.

[radar303]

Role player, specialist, clubhouse guy is one thing. My "small" point is simple... if Lew Ford is playing A LOT, the organization has a dearth of TALENT. 200 Plate Appearances would be a TON for him.

[jtschrei]

I think Lew Ford can contribute on the ML level. I think he's better than his ML numbers from last year indicate. I have no problem with him making the team if Pearce or Dickerson get injured.

[OFFNY]

.

Lew had a day off today.