Oakland, July 24 — The Oakland Ducks (65-59) play the final game of the series Monday night at 7:05 against the first place Sacramento Miners (66-58) at Ducks Ballpark. After splitting the first 4 games, the Miners hold a one game lead on the Ducks heading into the evening’s rubber match. This will be the penultimate series between the two teams, as they’ll face off for one more series in August.
Recent acquisitions have pushed this Ducks ball club to the next level. In June, the club signed former LBL Starting Pitchers Leroy Burlton and Arthur Haddow to anchor their rotation down the stretch. Later that month, Scouting Director Romeo Cox identified two batters that he thought could come right in and make a difference: Left Fielder Erwin Ford, and First Baseman Arthur Davis.
Ford, a switch hitting lefty from Texas, was selected 16th overall in the 1908 amateur draft by the Brooklyn Whales. After spending seven years bouncing between AA and AAA, Ford was released by the Whales in July of 1914. The following year, he signed a minor league contract for Richmond, but was released less than two months later. It seemed like his baseball career was over, until the Oakland letter came.
Ford and his wife, Ellen, moved out to California to be close to her family.
“My wife and I moved out to California to raise cattle. She’s got family out here that was able to set us up nice with a chunk of land and a few cattle,” Ford said shortly after joining the ballclub.
“I raised ‘em all my life in Texas. Figured once this baseball thing didn’t pan out, I’d get back to doin’ the other thing I know.” Smiling, he added “ but now I’m back to doin’ what I love. I’m just so grateful.”
When asked about the prospects of returning to the LBL, Ford said he’s focused on helping the Ducks win the pennant. “I’ll let my play do the talking like I always have.” Ford cracked the starting lineup this week, going 8-23 with 2 doubles and 5 RBI. He’ll look to build upon this hot start to his career as a Duck.
Manager John Lee said of the signing. “It’s not like we’re signin’ guys off the street! Erwin was drafted in the first round of the LBL and it just hasn’t worked out for him. He’ll get back on his feet over here and be back in the majors in no time. The kid’s 26 for Pete’s sake!”
The other batter Cox found was First Basemen Arthur Davis, and what a splash he has made! Since taking over at First Base thirteen games ago, Davis has gone 16-38 with 5 doubles and 10 RBI. Most importantly, he’s setting an example for the younger players.
“Good things happen to good people.” Lee said of Davis’ early success. “Here’s a guy who’s been through a lot in his career. And to come right in and get to work like he’s done. Heck, he’s already the hardest workin’ man in Oakland. Hopefully some of that’ll rub off on the young guys.”
Lee is surely alluding to budding star Wilson Keetley. The Ducks have been led all year by the 23 year old Keetley, who has set the tone offensively and defensively. But with the recent Davis signing, he was asked to move from Third Base to Second Base to make room for Davis on the diamond. (Davis took Walter Maillard’s spot at first, who has slid across the diamond to take Keetley’s spot at third.) Keetley was initially unhappy with the move, but told reporters he may warm up to the idea after a few games under his belt at second. If the Davis signing pushes the team over the edge, it’d be hard to imagine Keetley still upset. Winning solves a lot of problems, after all.
After the game Monday against the Miners, the Ducks take the ferry over to San Francisco to face the Spots starting July 25th. After that, they’ll be back home for a series against the Lions of Los Angeles on the 31st.