Zak Ford
@zakford.bsky.social
Author of human-interest baseball stories ⚾️ “Called Up: Ballplayers Remember Becoming Major Leaguers” (2023) ⚾️ “Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball” (2026)
www.ZakFord.com
www.ZakFord.com
Pinned
Zak Ford
@zakford.bsky.social
· Jun 7
“Called Up” captures 109 first-person player stories of becoming a major leaguer. Whether you’re a baseball fan, or just a fan of inspirational stories, I’m confident you’ll enjoy the book. If you’ve already enjoyed it, please tell your friends and leave a positive review on Amazon, Goodreads, etc.
The contents of this case represent one of my teenage passions- interviewing pre-1958 Pacific Coast League ballplayers. All tapes have been digitized and transcribed. Now, it’s time for the difficult part- figuring out how to tell my story of befriending dozens of ballplayers 50-70 years my senior.
January 16, 2026 at 9:21 PM
The contents of this case represent one of my teenage passions- interviewing pre-1958 Pacific Coast League ballplayers. All tapes have been digitized and transcribed. Now, it’s time for the difficult part- figuring out how to tell my story of befriending dozens of ballplayers 50-70 years my senior.
⚾️📖 Bip Roberts, San Diego Padres, 1986 - Excerpt from full story in my "Called Up" book
January 16, 2026 at 3:21 PM
⚾️📖 Bip Roberts, San Diego Padres, 1986 - Excerpt from full story in my "Called Up" book
I don’t actively collect cards. However, I sometimes buy cheap packs from my childhood when I come across them, just for nostalgia sake. It’s especially nice when I pull players featured in my “Called Up” book.
January 14, 2026 at 9:08 PM
I don’t actively collect cards. However, I sometimes buy cheap packs from my childhood when I come across them, just for nostalgia sake. It’s especially nice when I pull players featured in my “Called Up” book.
Following his playing career, Jim Rushford worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator at a copper mine before entering medical billing coding. I’m pleased to feature him in my upcoming “Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball” book.
⚾️📖 Link in comments.
⚾️📖 Link in comments.
January 14, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Following his playing career, Jim Rushford worked for many years as a heavy equipment operator at a copper mine before entering medical billing coding. I’m pleased to feature him in my upcoming “Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball” book.
⚾️📖 Link in comments.
⚾️📖 Link in comments.
Reposted by Zak Ford
I’m planning on a few post office trips over the next week. Please let me know if you want to be included (zakford@gmail.com). ⚾️📖📪
January 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
I’m planning on a few post office trips over the next week. Please let me know if you want to be included (zakford@gmail.com). ⚾️📖📪
Reposted by Zak Ford
Following baseball, Jack Kucek entered a long career in sales.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
January 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Following baseball, Jack Kucek entered a long career in sales.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
I’m planning on a few post office trips over the next week. Please let me know if you want to be included (zakford@gmail.com). ⚾️📖📪
January 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
I’m planning on a few post office trips over the next week. Please let me know if you want to be included (zakford@gmail.com). ⚾️📖📪
Following baseball, Jack Kucek entered a long career in sales.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
January 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Following baseball, Jack Kucek entered a long career in sales.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
He played eight seasons of affiliated baseball, including parts of seven seasons in the major leagues.
Here’s an excerpt from his "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" story.
My Grandma Ford was born OTD in 1917. My family had rooted for the Dodgers dating back to Brooklyn. However, my dad chose the Giants as a boy and passed his team preference down to me. That said, I’m happy the lap blanket my grandma used during her last years now rests on the recliner in my office.
January 5, 2026 at 2:24 PM
My Grandma Ford was born OTD in 1917. My family had rooted for the Dodgers dating back to Brooklyn. However, my dad chose the Giants as a boy and passed his team preference down to me. That said, I’m happy the lap blanket my grandma used during her last years now rests on the recliner in my office.
My great-uncle, Larry Powell, was a primary inspiration for the “Called Up” book.
January 4, 2026 at 5:10 PM
My great-uncle, Larry Powell, was a primary inspiration for the “Called Up” book.
Following his playing career, Jalal Leach formed a baseball school with his brother, and has worked as a pro scout with the Yankees, Giants, and Marlins. I’m pleased he’ll be featured in my upcoming "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" book.
👇 Excerpts 👇
👇 Excerpts 👇
January 2, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Following his playing career, Jalal Leach formed a baseball school with his brother, and has worked as a pro scout with the Yankees, Giants, and Marlins. I’m pleased he’ll be featured in my upcoming "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" book.
👇 Excerpts 👇
👇 Excerpts 👇
Thanks for all the support in 2025! I’m looking forward to a busy 2026, promoting “Beyond the Last Inning” (spring/summer release), and possibly starting on my next book project! ⚾️💥🥳📖
December 31, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Thanks for all the support in 2025! I’m looking forward to a busy 2026, promoting “Beyond the Last Inning” (spring/summer release), and possibly starting on my next book project! ⚾️💥🥳📖
Roberto Clemente died on this date, 53 years ago, while on a humanitarian mission. I’ve always found Clemente intriguing, not just as a ballplayer, but more so as a person. I had the pleasure of visiting Pittsburgh in 2022 and learning more about him at The Clemente Museum. I highly recommend it.
December 31, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Roberto Clemente died on this date, 53 years ago, while on a humanitarian mission. I’ve always found Clemente intriguing, not just as a ballplayer, but more so as a person. I had the pleasure of visiting Pittsburgh in 2022 and learning more about him at The Clemente Museum. I highly recommend it.
I may not have fulfilled my boyhood dream of playing for the Giants at Candlestick Park or been able to take my kids to a baseball game there. However, this 49ers game with my son, 13 years ago today, was still pretty significant for me.
December 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I may not have fulfilled my boyhood dream of playing for the Giants at Candlestick Park or been able to take my kids to a baseball game there. However, this 49ers game with my son, 13 years ago today, was still pretty significant for me.
Reposted by Zak Ford
⚾️📖 Kurt Bevacqua, Cleveland Indians, 1971 – Excerpt from full story in the “Called Up” book
December 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
⚾️📖 Kurt Bevacqua, Cleveland Indians, 1971 – Excerpt from full story in the “Called Up” book
⚾️📖 Kurt Bevacqua, Cleveland Indians, 1971 – Excerpt from full story in the “Called Up” book
December 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
⚾️📖 Kurt Bevacqua, Cleveland Indians, 1971 – Excerpt from full story in the “Called Up” book
Reposted by Zak Ford
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! I hope you have a great day. Thanks for all the support. I appreciate it.
December 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! I hope you have a great day. Thanks for all the support. I appreciate it.
Twelve years ago, today, my dad and I went to Candlestick Park for the last time.
👇⚾️🏈 STORY LINK IN COMMENTS 🏈⚾️👇
👇⚾️🏈 STORY LINK IN COMMENTS 🏈⚾️👇
December 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Twelve years ago, today, my dad and I went to Candlestick Park for the last time.
👇⚾️🏈 STORY LINK IN COMMENTS 🏈⚾️👇
👇⚾️🏈 STORY LINK IN COMMENTS 🏈⚾️👇
In 1990, 22-year-old Joe Grahe got called up by the Angels to make his MLB debut in a spot start for future HOFer Bert Blyleven. The first batter he faced was future HOFer Rickey Henderson.
⚾️📖 Here’s an excerpt from his story in the "Called Up" book!
⚾️📖 Here’s an excerpt from his story in the "Called Up" book!
December 21, 2025 at 8:33 PM
In 1990, 22-year-old Joe Grahe got called up by the Angels to make his MLB debut in a spot start for future HOFer Bert Blyleven. The first batter he faced was future HOFer Rickey Henderson.
⚾️📖 Here’s an excerpt from his story in the "Called Up" book!
⚾️📖 Here’s an excerpt from his story in the "Called Up" book!
Reposted by Zak Ford
There’s still time to get “Called Up” and put it under the tree for a friend or family member! 🎅🎁🎄
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
December 17, 2025 at 9:30 PM
There’s still time to get “Called Up” and put it under the tree for a friend or family member! 🎅🎁🎄
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
Vance Law, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1980 - Excerpt from full story in the "Called Up" book ⚾️📖
December 18, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Vance Law, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1980 - Excerpt from full story in the "Called Up" book ⚾️📖
There’s still time to get “Called Up” and put it under the tree for a friend or family member! 🎅🎁🎄
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
December 17, 2025 at 9:30 PM
There’s still time to get “Called Up” and put it under the tree for a friend or family member! 🎅🎁🎄
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
(Yeah, we still need to decorate our tree. We’re waiting on the kids to finish their college semesters.😃)
The NEW cover for book #2!
Although the cleats on the first cover were old high-top baseball cleats, many people associated them with football at first glance. Therefore, I requested they be more distinctly baseball.
Although the cleats on the first cover were old high-top baseball cleats, many people associated them with football at first glance. Therefore, I requested they be more distinctly baseball.
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The NEW cover for book #2!
Although the cleats on the first cover were old high-top baseball cleats, many people associated them with football at first glance. Therefore, I requested they be more distinctly baseball.
Although the cleats on the first cover were old high-top baseball cleats, many people associated them with football at first glance. Therefore, I requested they be more distinctly baseball.