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
JAMES LONEY: "Nomar Garciaparra got hurt before the first game of the season for Los Angeles. I was in my hotel room, getting ready for the Triple-A season, and Jerry Royster, the manager, called me... I remember facing John Smoltz, and he walked me the very first time."
November 21, 2025 at 3:43 PM
JAMES LONEY: "Nomar Garciaparra got hurt before the first game of the season for Los Angeles. I was in my hotel room, getting ready for the Triple-A season, and Jerry Royster, the manager, called me... I remember facing John Smoltz, and he walked me the very first time."
I’m pleased Jason Jimenez is featured in both of my books.
November 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
I’m pleased Jason Jimenez is featured in both of my books.
TRUE STORY: I was the Philadelphia Phillies designated driver of 2014. I only attended 5-6 innings of a game while on a work trip.
(My Facebook memories documented me receiving this package 11 years ago, today.)
(My Facebook memories documented me receiving this package 11 years ago, today.)
November 15, 2025 at 4:23 PM
TRUE STORY: I was the Philadelphia Phillies designated driver of 2014. I only attended 5-6 innings of a game while on a work trip.
(My Facebook memories documented me receiving this package 11 years ago, today.)
(My Facebook memories documented me receiving this package 11 years ago, today.)
KIP GROSS: “They came out with a video at the end of the 1990 season, and the video starts off with me throwing the last pitch of that ninth game, my debut, and shaking Joe Oliver's hand.”
⚾️ Full “Called Up” story on his MLB call-up and debut is posted on Facebook, and is one of 109 in my book.
⚾️ Full “Called Up” story on his MLB call-up and debut is posted on Facebook, and is one of 109 in my book.
November 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
KIP GROSS: “They came out with a video at the end of the 1990 season, and the video starts off with me throwing the last pitch of that ninth game, my debut, and shaking Joe Oliver's hand.”
⚾️ Full “Called Up” story on his MLB call-up and debut is posted on Facebook, and is one of 109 in my book.
⚾️ Full “Called Up” story on his MLB call-up and debut is posted on Facebook, and is one of 109 in my book.
Whose MLB call-up and debut story from the “Called Up” book should I share next?
Options from the table of contents are below.
Options from the table of contents are below.
November 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Whose MLB call-up and debut story from the “Called Up” book should I share next?
Options from the table of contents are below.
Options from the table of contents are below.
I’m pleased Jim Kern is featured in both of my books.
November 7, 2025 at 5:32 PM
I’m pleased Jim Kern is featured in both of my books.
My great-uncle, Larry Powell, as the featured player in a 1939 San Francisco Seals program. I recall seeing this same program among items in one of his old scrapbooks when I was a kid.
November 6, 2025 at 2:16 AM
My great-uncle, Larry Powell, as the featured player in a 1939 San Francisco Seals program. I recall seeing this same program among items in one of his old scrapbooks when I was a kid.
Six years ago, today, I conducted my first interview for my “Called Up” book. ⚾️📖
November 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Six years ago, today, I conducted my first interview for my “Called Up” book. ⚾️📖
Looking for something to address your offseason baseball needs? Looking for Christmas presents for the baseball fans in your life? “Called Up” captures 109 first-person player stories of becoming a major leaguer.
November 3, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Looking for something to address your offseason baseball needs? Looking for Christmas presents for the baseball fans in your life? “Called Up” captures 109 first-person player stories of becoming a major leaguer.
The Senior Professional Baseball Association (SPBA) began play on this date in 1989. Steve Luebber and Randy Lerch, who are both featured in the “Called Up” book, pitched in the league. Here are their 1990 SPBA cards.
November 1, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The Senior Professional Baseball Association (SPBA) began play on this date in 1989. Steve Luebber and Randy Lerch, who are both featured in the “Called Up” book, pitched in the league. Here are their 1990 SPBA cards.
From the “Called Up” introduction…
(That’s me as a right-handed Will Clark for Halloween in 1989. 🎃⚾️)
(That’s me as a right-handed Will Clark for Halloween in 1989. 🎃⚾️)
October 31, 2025 at 2:03 PM
From the “Called Up” introduction…
(That’s me as a right-handed Will Clark for Halloween in 1989. 🎃⚾️)
(That’s me as a right-handed Will Clark for Halloween in 1989. 🎃⚾️)
Jim Rushford’s story is one of 49 that will be featured in “Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball.”
October 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Jim Rushford’s story is one of 49 that will be featured in “Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball.”
The World Series starts tonight, and I’m just hoping the Dodgers don’t take it in a sweep. The last sweep began 13 years ago, today.
I attended Game One of the 2012 World Series and watched Pablo Sandoval hit three homers! I took the selfie at the bottom right immediately after his third jack!
I attended Game One of the 2012 World Series and watched Pablo Sandoval hit three homers! I took the selfie at the bottom right immediately after his third jack!
October 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The World Series starts tonight, and I’m just hoping the Dodgers don’t take it in a sweep. The last sweep began 13 years ago, today.
I attended Game One of the 2012 World Series and watched Pablo Sandoval hit three homers! I took the selfie at the bottom right immediately after his third jack!
I attended Game One of the 2012 World Series and watched Pablo Sandoval hit three homers! I took the selfie at the bottom right immediately after his third jack!
SCOTT FORSTER “CALLED UP” STORY EXCERPT: “I faced one hitter. It was Henry Rodriguez, who was actually a former Expo. I got him to hit a ground ball and I got a hold. Felipe Alou came out, patted me on the butt, and said, ‘Great job.’ Then, later that night, I proposed.”
October 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
SCOTT FORSTER “CALLED UP” STORY EXCERPT: “I faced one hitter. It was Henry Rodriguez, who was actually a former Expo. I got him to hit a ground ball and I got a hold. Felipe Alou came out, patted me on the butt, and said, ‘Great job.’ Then, later that night, I proposed.”
“Called Up” arrived in the mail, two years ago, today! I’m looking forward to receiving “Beyond the Last Inning” sometime next summer! 📪⚾️📖
October 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
“Called Up” arrived in the mail, two years ago, today! I’m looking forward to receiving “Beyond the Last Inning” sometime next summer! 📪⚾️📖
Who I’m rooting for (in order): Cubs, Red Sox, Brewers, Mariners, Guardians
However, if I was a betting man, I’d put my money on the Dodgers to win the World Series again. 👎
However, if I was a betting man, I’d put my money on the Dodgers to win the World Series again. 👎
September 30, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Who I’m rooting for (in order): Cubs, Red Sox, Brewers, Mariners, Guardians
However, if I was a betting man, I’d put my money on the Dodgers to win the World Series again. 👎
However, if I was a betting man, I’d put my money on the Dodgers to win the World Series again. 👎
First/last Giants game of 2025. The season almost snuck by.
September 29, 2025 at 2:17 AM
First/last Giants game of 2025. The season almost snuck by.
If you’ve enjoyed “Called Up,” positive reviews and word of mouth go a long way. Whether it’s a longer review for a publication, a few sentences on a book or baseball website, or just simply clicking on five stars on Amazon, I’d greatly appreciate it.
September 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
If you’ve enjoyed “Called Up,” positive reviews and word of mouth go a long way. Whether it’s a longer review for a publication, a few sentences on a book or baseball website, or just simply clicking on five stars on Amazon, I’d greatly appreciate it.
MIKE BELFIORE: “The third call-up, I was like, ‘Okay. Enough of this jitters stuff. I'm ready to play in a game.’”
⚾️ Belfiore’s full story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
⚾️ Belfiore’s full story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
September 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
MIKE BELFIORE: “The third call-up, I was like, ‘Okay. Enough of this jitters stuff. I'm ready to play in a game.’”
⚾️ Belfiore’s full story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
⚾️ Belfiore’s full story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
The book manuscript and all corresponding documents for "Next Up: Ballplayers Remember Their Post-Playing Career Transitions" have been submitted!
September 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The book manuscript and all corresponding documents for "Next Up: Ballplayers Remember Their Post-Playing Career Transitions" have been submitted!
Enjoyed giving an update on my “Next Up” book project at the Dusty Baker-Sacramento Society for American Baseball Research Chapter’s annual Little Fenway West event this afternoon! ⚾️📖
September 13, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Enjoyed giving an update on my “Next Up” book project at the Dusty Baker-Sacramento Society for American Baseball Research Chapter’s annual Little Fenway West event this afternoon! ⚾️📖
I’ll be submitting the “Next Up” book on post-playing career transitions to the publisher within the next week. Here are a few photos of featured players following their playing days.
September 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I’ll be submitting the “Next Up” book on post-playing career transitions to the publisher within the next week. Here are a few photos of featured players following their playing days.
MARK ACRE: “I remember running out there excited, and Tony (La Russa) handing me the ball. I wanted to see what I looked like on the big screen, of course. I threw a couple pitches, turned around, and looked up.”
⚾️ Acre’s full story is posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
⚾️ Acre’s full story is posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
September 9, 2025 at 3:23 PM
MARK ACRE: “I remember running out there excited, and Tony (La Russa) handing me the ball. I wanted to see what I looked like on the big screen, of course. I threw a couple pitches, turned around, and looked up.”
⚾️ Acre’s full story is posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
⚾️ Acre’s full story is posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
I have less than 10 left! Send me an email (zakford@gmail.com) to add “Called Up” to your bookshelf! If you’ve enjoyed any of the “Called Up” posts, I’m sure you’ll love it. 👍⚾️📖
September 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I have less than 10 left! Send me an email (zakford@gmail.com) to add “Called Up” to your bookshelf! If you’ve enjoyed any of the “Called Up” posts, I’m sure you’ll love it. 👍⚾️📖
JALAL LEACH: “(Dusty Baker) saw me sitting in my locker and he just started laughing. He goes, ‘I should've known you'd be ready to go your first day on the job.’”
⚾️ Leach’s full MLB call-up and debut story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
⚾️ Leach’s full MLB call-up and debut story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
September 2, 2025 at 3:50 PM
JALAL LEACH: “(Dusty Baker) saw me sitting in my locker and he just started laughing. He goes, ‘I should've known you'd be ready to go your first day on the job.’”
⚾️ Leach’s full MLB call-up and debut story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
⚾️ Leach’s full MLB call-up and debut story has been posted on Facebook and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.