Yankees’ Former ‘Cult Hero’ Joins Division Rival In New Role

April 10, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: Mike Ford #36 of the New York Yankees before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)

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The New York Yankees have shared plenty of notable players with their division rivals in the past.

Most famously, Babe Ruth joined the team after a stint with the Boston Red Sox. But the list goes on and on, with more recent Yankees like Mike Mussina playing for the Baltimore Orioles and Rickey Henderson playing for the Toronto Blue Jays, among many others.

And now a former infielder who Yankees fans will remember as a long-time member of the organization and a notable late-season hero has reportedly accepted a new role with the American League East rival Tampa Bay Rays.

“Former (Yankee) Mike Ford is now working for the Rays in the front office and with minor leaguers,” baseball beat writer Kristie Ackert reported on X, formerly Twitter. “Got to chat with him last night. Smart hire for the Rays.”

New York Yankees’s Former Fan Favorite Mike Ford Takes New Role With Tampa Bay Rays

Ford signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2012, then made his professional debut with the Staten Island Yankees the next year. He worked his way up through the team’s minor-league system for several years before being invited to big-league Spring Training as a non-roster player in 2019.

He made his big-league debut with the Yankees after first baseman Greg Bird suffered an injury in that season and stuck with the Yankees for four campaigns. But most fans will remember him for his hot streak in that first season.

“Ford became a cult hero in New York for his tremendous finish to the 2019 season,” Charlie Wright wrote for MLB Trade Rumors. “He put together a torrid two-month stretch to close the campaign, posting a .953 OPS with 11 home runs over 39 games. The Yankees won 103 games and captured the AL East title for the first time since 2012.”

Former ‘Cult Hero’ Moved Through 8 Major League Systems After New York Yankees Career

Ford slashed just .199/.301/.422 in 101 total games with the Yankees in his stint with the team, serving as a first baseman and designated hitter. The team designated him for assignment in 2021 and he was traded to the Rays, who designated him for assignment again shortly afterward.

Ford also played in the Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins systems in his career. Though he didn’t have much lasting success as a big leaguer himself, that wealth of experience seems likely to help younger players in the Rays’ system now that he has accepted a front office role.

Ford played in Japan last year, but it seems he is now officially ending his playing career and focusing on a new role in baseball.

“The front office job would suggest Ford is hanging up his spikes," Wright added. “If so, he’ll finish his MLB career with 37 home runs in 252 games.”

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

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