Top 100 Angels: Dan Ford #98

by Rev Halofan on Nov 3, 2008 1:20 AM PST in 100 Top Angels Comment 9 comments

The 1979 Angels, the first division winners in franchise history only won their division by 3 games. While many Top 100 Angels were on that team, it is inconceivable that they win without the contributions of Dan Ford. In 1979, he scored 100 runs, drove in 101 and played in 142 games. He also had the nickname "Dicso" Dan at the height of the Studio 54 era.

Plenty more on Dan in his 2005 Top 100 Angels profile.

Career Stats

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im too young too remember him, but with those stats, I'd agree

"Halos Heaven All Time Saves Record Holder Genius Prognasticator."

by vlad IS my man on Nov 3, 2008 7:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Too young as well

I just remember hearing about how wonderful the 1979 Angels were from my parents. I agree that his ’79 numbers are great, especially considering the era he played in.

by stolenbases on Nov 3, 2008 8:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Killer Year

They guy never was able to even come close to replicating ’79 either. Looks like it might have been due to injury (or maybe a coke habit?).

by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Nov 3, 2008 8:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

no coke

just bad luck on the injury front. Dan got old fast, perhaps he hurt himself doing the HUSTLE or some other Disco dance craze.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 3, 2008 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If I remember correctly

Disco Dan got caught red handed (so to speak) with a corked bat. I believe his bat exploded during the ‘80 season, revealing it’s secret inner core.
He was suspended for some number of games. After the suspension, it appeared he could not hit nearly as well with a regular bat. I do not believe he did much for Baltimore after he was traded.
But yes, he had a great year in 1979.

by sothball on Nov 3, 2008 7:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rev--List 2008 vs. List 2005

The new Top 100 list is obviously a chance to update—I expect to see some names on it that weren’t there from 2005, and I expect to see some re-shuffling of the order. The first two in this year’s list dropped in ranking as compared to the original list, but Dan Ford actually went up—from 99 to 98. I’d be interested in your thnking regarding why a particular player moves up or down on your list. And not just for Ford, but for other players, too.

The '56 LA Angels (PCL) cap logo...a classic.

by MurrietaMick on Nov 3, 2008 1:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Criteria changes over time

No one position is written in stone and as the Angels legacy grows, the impact and contributions of players may wax or wane in the context of where the franchise is at any given moment.

by Rev Halofan on Nov 3, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His batting stance was the opposite of Downing's, it was closed and he had great pop to rightfield

Angels in 09!

by tanana40 on Nov 3, 2008 9:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

A couple of things about Dan Ford...

If Lyman Bostock hadn’t been killed in Sept 1978, Dan Ford would have never been an Angel. There is a story about Ford when he was with the Twins. He hit a game winning home run and passed a teammate running the bases. He was called out and the Twins lost the game. When he walked back to the dugout Gene Mauch told him to keep on walking. And he did..in full uniform..all the way home.

by njhalofan on Nov 5, 2008 3:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs