Everyone loves a trophy. In 1960, Topps created an All-Rookie Team and the baseball cards of outstanding young players had trophies added to their pictures.
There were a pair of National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees on the squad 40 years ago along with several all-stars and most valuable players.
The eighth member of the 1975 team to be profiled in the this series is Dan Ford.
A first round draft pick by the Oakland A’s in 1970, Dan Ford was eventually traded to the Minnesota Twins prior to the 1975 season.
As a result of changing organizations, Ford became a starting outfielder for the Twins as a rookie in 1975. He finished his first season with a .280 batting average, while hitting 15 homers and knocking in 59 runs.
After the 1978 season, Ford was moved to the California Angels. Also prior to the 1979 season, the Angels acquired Ford’s teammate in Minnesota and future National Baseball Hall of Fame member Rod Carew. The Angels won the American League West that season as Ford the best year of his career with 21 homers, 101 RBI and a .290 batting average. Ford hit for the cycle against the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 10, 1979. He led the AL with 13 sacrifice flies. During the ALCS, Ford hit a pair of homers.
Before the 1983 season, Ford was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles. He finished that year with nine homers and 55 RBI, but he did have a long ball in game three of the World Series as the Orioles won the title.
Ford ended his 11-year career with the Orioles in 1985.
Next up in the series: Fred Lynn of the Boston Red Sox.