Rusty Ford

William Russell Ford

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 200 lb.
• Schools Texas Wesleyan College, Angelina College

• Born February 20, 1961 in Lufkin, TX USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Rusty Ford peaked at AAA.

Ford was picked by the San Diego Padres in the 17th round of the 1984 amateur draft, one round before they got Mike Harkey. Assigned to the Spokane Indians, the tall hurler was 2-3 with 5 saves, a 3.57, 28 hits and 48 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. In 1985, he posted a 7-6, 2.67 record with 24 saves for the Charleston Rainbows, striking out 93 in 91 innings. He led the South Atlantic League in saves and games pitched (66).

In 1986, Rusty was only 2-9 but with 17 saves for the Beaumont Golden Gators. He had a 3.72 ERA and was plagued by walks, issuing 56 of them in 82 1/3 innings. On the other hand, he only gave up one home run. He ranked third in the Texas League in saves after Jeff Innis and Jay Aldrich. He spent all of '87 in AAA with the Las Vegas Stars but fared poorly (2-2, 6.46, 100 H, 63 BB, 41 K in 85 IP). Back down in AA with the 1988 Wichita Pilots, he went 1-5 with 4 saves and a 4.48 ERA.

Overall, Rusty was 14-25 with 50 saves and a 4.22 ERA in 182 minor league games. He struck out 299 in 373 innings but walked 230.

His son Blake was pitching at the college level in 2011.