Terry Ford

Terrence E. Ford

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 9", Weight 150 lb.
• School Middle Georgia College

• Born 1952

Terry Ford played two years in the minors, most notably appearing in a controversial play in the lone game umpired by Bernice Gera, Organized Baseball's first female umpire.

Ford was a 27th-round choice of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1971 amateur draft. He hit just .178/~.293/.232 in 44 games for the Pulaski Phillies, striking out in 51 of 129 at-bats. He fielded only .861 at shortstop, with 24 errors in 38 games. In 1972, Terry was with the Auburn Phillies. He batted .174/~.283/.244 and went 9 for 12 in steal attempts. He led the New York-Penn League with 85 strikeouts in 242 AB and tied Keith Smith for the lead with five sacrifice hits. Ford led league shortstops with 33 errors, though his .885 fielding percentage was not the worst of a regular at the position.

Ford was on second base in the fourth inning of the first game umpired by Bernice Gera. The batter lined out to 2B Jim Pascarella with Ford running; Pascarella threw to SS Brian Doyle at second before Ford could get back to the bag. Gera initially ruled Ford safe before calling him out, leading to an angered response from Terry's manager, Nolan Campbell. Campbell was ejected and Gera retired after the game.

Sources: 1972-1973 Baseball Guides, Mendoza's Heroes by Al Pepper