New York Yankees will probably lose savior Mike Ford
The New York Yankees are faced with an interesting problem over the next few weeks as the postseason roster decisions loom heading into the Fall.
The unexpected heroes and various injuries have told the story of the 2019 New York Yankees season. The latest hero is the first baseman Mike Ford filling in admirably for the injured Luke Voit and Edwin Encarnacion over the past few weeks.
Ford has been another spark from the many replacements that have entered the Yankees lineup over the year. The 27-year old was once thought of as just another career minor league player until getting the call up from New York this season. Ford was a member of the Seattle Mariners back in 2017 until he was given up by the team after recently acquiring him from New York in the Rule 5 draft.
Ford discussed the odd situation that would’ve embarrassed most players tremendously with grace and optimism while speaking with Steve Serby of the New York Post.
"“They were really great to me, they sat me down, explained the situation. It made a lot sense for their organization and for me to be sent back [to the Yankees in March 2018]. It didn’t set in really until I kind of got back to Florida. Probably first month of the year was the toughest for me to get through, just kind of, “OK, missed an opportunity.” Couldn’t really get over it for a little bit, and then had my [oblique] injury and come back and just said, “You gotta make a new one now.”"
One hand on the clutch. One foot on the throttle. pic.twitter.com/5GOp3V2MCP
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 1, 2019
Ford has connected on ten home runs this season with the Yankees while playing a solid defensive first base. The most recent dramatic homer was a classic pinch-hit walk-off in the ninth inning on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics.
Ford’s continued success will help throughout the rest of the regular season, but chances are he will be a casualty of the postseason roster limit. The return of Voit forced Ford to show up in a pinch-hitting role, and the pending reemergence of Encarnacion from the injured list has started the clock on Ford’s time in pinstripes.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has done a fantastic job balancing the lineup amongst injuries to vital players all season. The decision to drop the hot-hitting Ford, Mike Tauchman or Gio Urshela for proven veterans finally healthy won’t be easy.
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Yankees fan at least get to enjoy the September extended roster filled with players that won’t see postseason action.