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
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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.
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.
Reposted by Zak Ford
“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.
June 7, 2025 at 11:51 PM
“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.
Tony Freitas was the first ballplayer I interviewed. A week ago, I didn't know he had his own model glove in the 1930s. Now, I own one.
December 11, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Tony Freitas was the first ballplayer I interviewed. A week ago, I didn't know he had his own model glove in the 1930s. Now, I own one.
Christmas is two weeks away. 🎅🎄🎁
December 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Christmas is two weeks away. 🎅🎄🎁
Reposted by Zak Ford
Following his playing career, Dave Machemer spent a short time selling cars, before entering a long career as a minor league manager and scout. His story will be featured in my upcoming "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" book. Here’s an excerpt!
December 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Following his playing career, Dave Machemer spent a short time selling cars, before entering a long career as a minor league manager and scout. His story will be featured in my upcoming "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" book. Here’s an excerpt!
Related to my earlier “Beyond the Last Inning” post on Dave Machemer… I couldn’t resist a recent eBay purchase of this silly gnome of Machemer, who I’m fortunate to feature in both of my books. This is from a 2012 SGA when he was managing in the Giants organization for the Richmond Squirrels.
December 10, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Related to my earlier “Beyond the Last Inning” post on Dave Machemer… I couldn’t resist a recent eBay purchase of this silly gnome of Machemer, who I’m fortunate to feature in both of my books. This is from a 2012 SGA when he was managing in the Giants organization for the Richmond Squirrels.
Following his playing career, Dave Machemer spent a short time selling cars, before entering a long career as a minor league manager and scout. His story will be featured in my upcoming "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" book. Here’s an excerpt!
December 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Following his playing career, Dave Machemer spent a short time selling cars, before entering a long career as a minor league manager and scout. His story will be featured in my upcoming "Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball" book. Here’s an excerpt!
Reposted by Zak Ford
Although Jeff Nelson wasn't called up until his ninth year of professional baseball, he still played in 15 big league seasons! Here's an excerpt from his great MLB call-up and debut story! His full “Called Up” story has been posted on Facebook, and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
December 8, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Although Jeff Nelson wasn't called up until his ninth year of professional baseball, he still played in 15 big league seasons! Here's an excerpt from his great MLB call-up and debut story! His full “Called Up” story has been posted on Facebook, and is one of 109 in the “Called Up” book.
Over the coming months, I will be sharing excerpts from “Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball” on social media. Here are just a few post-playing photos of featured players. The book will include 49 stories on post-playing career transitions.
December 8, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Over the coming months, I will be sharing excerpts from “Beyond the Last Inning: Life and Careers After Playing Professional Baseball” on social media. Here are just a few post-playing photos of featured players. The book will include 49 stories on post-playing career transitions.