Russ Ford
Born: 4/25/1883 in Brandon, MB, CAN
Died: 1/24/1960 in Rockingham, NC, USA
MLB Debut: 1909-04-28 | Final Game: 1915-08-16
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Russell William Ford
Biography
Russ Ford was a prominent pitcher in Major League Baseball during the early 20th century, with a career that spanned from 1909 to 1915. Born in 1883, Ford made a significant impact on the game with his exceptional skill on the mound, culminating in a career record of 99 wins and 71 losses. His earned run average (ERA) of 2.59 underscored his effectiveness, as he struck out 710 batters throughout his tenure while also securing 9 saves. Ford's playing style was characterized by a keen understanding of hitters and a repertoire that made him a formidable opponent during an era that was transitioning away from the deadball period.
Competing during a time when the game was evolving, Ford's contributions were crucial in shaping the role of pitchers in the modern game. He played for several teams, showcasing his talent and resilience, and left a lasting legacy that influenced future generations of pitchers. Ford's ability to perform under pressure and his strategic approach to the game positioned him as a noteworthy figure in baseball history, remembered for his achievements on the diamond and his role in the sport's development during a transformative era.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | 71 | 199 | 170 | 126 | 15 | 9 | 1487.3 | 1340 | 428 | 44 | 376 | 710 | 2.59 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | NYY | AL | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9.00 | - |
| 1910 | NYY | AL | 26 | 6 | 36 | 33 | 29 | 8 | 1 | 299.7 | 194 | 55 | 70 | 209 | 1.65 | - |
| 1911 | NYY | AL | 22 | 11 | 37 | 33 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 281.3 | 251 | 71 | 76 | 158 | 2.27 | - |
| 1912 | NYY | AL | 13 | 21 | 36 | 35 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 291.7 | 317 | 115 | 79 | 112 | 3.55 | - |
| 1913 | NYY | AL | 12 | 18 | 33 | 28 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 237.0 | 244 | 70 | 58 | 72 | 2.66 | - |
| 1914 | BUF | FL | 21 | 6 | 35 | 26 | 19 | 5 | 6 | 247.3 | 190 | 50 | 41 | 123 | 1.82 | 1998.2 |
| 1915 | BUF | FL | 5 | 9 | 21 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 127.3 | 140 | 64 | 48 | 34 | 4.52 | -2918.3 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 204 | 506 | 55 | 106 | 17 | 8 | 1 | 37 | 14 | 34 | 99 | 0.209 | 0.262 | 0.281 | 0.543 | -1679.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | NYY | AL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1910 | NYY | AL | 36 | 96 | 8 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 9 | 33 | 0.208 | -118.3 |
| 1911 | NYY | AL | 37 | 102 | 10 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0.196 | -607.0 |
| 1912 | NYY | AL | 40 | 112 | 15 | 32 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0.286 | 0.9 |
| 1913 | NYY | AL | 33 | 74 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 29 | 0.162 | -388.6 |
| 1914 | BUF | FL | 35 | 78 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 28 | 0.128 | -566.1 |
| 1915 | BUF | FL | 22 | 43 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0.279 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| OF | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| P | 199 | 33 | 59 | 403 | 27 | 15 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | NYA | P | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1910 | NYA | P | 36 | 33 | 7 | 75 | 7 | 4 |
| 1911 | NYA | P | 37 | 0 | 16 | 70 | 5 | 0 |
| 1912 | NYA | P | 36 | 0 | 13 | 88 | 5 | 6 |
| 1912 | NYA | 2B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 1912 | NYA | OF | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1913 | NYA | P | 33 | 0 | 11 | 56 | 8 | 1 |
| 1914 | BUF | P | 35 | 0 | 9 | 72 | 1 | 2 |
| 1915 | BUF | P | 21 | 0 | 2 | 40 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 199 |
| Second Base | 2 |
| Left Field | 2 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1911 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 18th | 3.0 | 64 | 0 |