Books and articles about Russ Ford

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While a semi-pro pitcher, Ford accidentally discovered that a scuffed baseball could be made to break sharply. He began intentionally doctoring the ball using emery paper, and disguised his pitches as spitballs, which were legal. The Canadian was brilliant as a New York rookie, going 26-6 in 1910. He followed with a 22-11 mark, but his effectiveness waned and chronic arm soreness developed. In 1912 he lost an AL-high 21. He had one resurgent season in 1914, leading the outlaw Federal League with a .769 winning percentage (20-6). His brother Gene pitched seven games for the 1905 Tigers. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 21, 1908: Pittsburgh regains first place as Nick Maddox (15-5) beats Brooklyn, 2-1 for his 8th win in a row. Maddox drives in both runs as well. Maddox, who won his last five games of 1907, has now won 20 games in 30 appearances, the quickest twenty-game winner ever (This mark will be tied by Russ Ford, in 1910; Boo Ferriss in 1945; and Cal Eldred in 1993). » October 13, 1910: At the Polo Grounds, 25,000 fans show up for the start of the City Series between the Giants and Highlanders, and to watch Christy Mathewson and rookie phenom Russ Ford square off. The score is 1–1 when Mathewson and Devore single in the bottom of the 8th. An error loads the bases and Ford plunks Al Bridwell to score the winning run. The Giants score three more for a 5–1 win, with Matty striking out 14 Highlanders. The American Leaguers will win tomorrow when Jack Warhop tops Hooks Wiltse, but the Giants take the game on the 15th when Matty preserves the 5–1 win for Drucke. Matty will win game four by another 5–1 score. » May 6, 1911: The Yankees top the Red Sox, 6–3, and turn their first ever triple play as well. It happens in the 9th inning with Russ Ford on the mound when Bill Carrigan lines into a game ending triple play. » June 8, 1911: In the White Sox game against the host Hilltoppers in New York, pitcher Russ Ford hits Sox SS Roy Corhan on the head with a pitch (as noted by Retrosheet). New York manager Hal Chase allows Ping Bodie as a courtesy runner for Corhan, even though Bodie is already in the lineup. In the bottom of the frame, Bodie returns to CF, with Lee Tannehill moving from 1B to SS. Pitcher Doc White finishes at 1B. » February 3, 1915: The American League bans the emery ball, a pitch introduced by Russ Ford in 1910. » September 17, 1981: Fernando Valenzuela sets the National League rookie record with his 8th shutout of the season, a 2–0 three-hitter versus the Braves. He ties the ML mark of Russ Ford (1910) and Reb Russell (1913). » June 7, 1993: Milwaukee P Cal Eldred defeats the Mariners, 5-3, for his 7th win of the year. This gives him 20 victories in his 1st 30 career appearances in the majors, tying him for the "quickest" 20 wins in history with three other hurlers—Boo Ferriss (1945), Russ Ford (1910), and Nick Maddox (1908).