September 1st, 2010. The score was tied 1-1 in a huge pennant race game. The Giants bring in rookie Darren Ford to pinch run at first base. Who? Darren Ford? He had been called up from double-A that morning. After a missed flight connection he finally made it to the game sometime during the 2nd inning. Lincecum bunts him over to second. Now in the 8th inning, during his big league debut, Ford represents the potential go-ahead run.
On the next pitch Jimenez throws it in the dirt. It squirts about five feet from Olivio, the catcher. I literally didn’t know one baseball player that would even try to advance on that pitch, but that was because I didn’t yet know Darren Ford. He’s fast. Real fast.
Ford breaks for third. Olivio comes up firing and throws the ball into left field. Ford pops up and races home giving the Giants a 2-1 lead. Darren Ford, welcome to the Big Leagues.
Most baseball fans I know could tell you their favorite player as a kid. Mine: Will Clark. As an adult sometimes people ask me that same question. Who is your favorite player on the Giants? Depending on the year I would have answered something like, “I don’t know. Jeff Kent? Maybe Jason Schmidt.” It is hard to say a favorite player, but there are definitely certain players that command my attention. Bonds at the plate, Lincecum on the mound—there are certain players you don’t want to miss. Let me add to that list: Darren Ford on base.
Last week the Giants had Mark DeRosa and Andres Torres both return from the disabled list on the same day. I remember texting Gio at the beginning of the game when I heard the news, “The Giants kept Ford on the roster!” That very night Buster Posey gets a lead-off walk in the ninth of a scoreless game. Ford comes in to pinch run and steals second without a throw. Shortly after he scores the winning run on a Cody Ross base hit.
As I write, Darren Ford has two career major league hits and six runs scored (most of those runs were game-winning runs). He is like a secret weapon in a close game. I’ve literally said to my friends during the game things like, “If we can just get a runner on we can bring in Ford.” Being down 3-2 in the 8th has never been so fun.
Back in 1987 I would have told you my favorite color is blue, favorite food is pizza, and my favorite baseball player is Will Clark.
“Who’s your favorite player?”
24 years later, I’m ready to answer the question again.
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1 comment:
Favorite food is still pizza though, right?
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