Best Long Island Duck

A stop at Bethpage Park to catch a game of the Long Island Ducks has quickly become a staple on every Long Islander’s to-do list. The baseball team has won two championships and made it to several playoff seasons in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Every player on this minor league team is top-notch, but everyone’s got their favorite. Here are Long Islander’s top Ducklers!

2018: Long Islanders Voted Lew Ford Best Long Island Duck on Long Island

Lew Ford
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip.
631-940-3825. liducks.com
Lew Ford has been named the best player on the Long Island Ducks for 2018. Ford is a former Major League Baseball Player who now plays outfield for the Ducks. The Central Islip resident is entering his ninth season on Long Island, including his fifth as a player/coach. In his first eight seasons, Ford managed to have the highest batting average in franchise history at .328. The 41-year old was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1999 and spent a total of six seasons in Major League Baseball. Ford also played for the Minnesota Twins and the Baltimore Orioles before joining the Ducks.

2017: Long Islanders Voted Lew Ford Best Long Island Duck on Long Island

Lew Ford
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-3825. liducks.com
Since joining the Long Island Ducks, Lew Ford emerged as the team’s most prolific batter. Over the last several seasons Ford has taken on the responsibilities of hitting coach—allowing him to pass along his knowledge of the game to his teammates, of whom many are striving to earn their way to the Big Leagues. Ford first joined the club in 2009 and quickly became a favorite among the Ducks’ rabid fan base. Ford, who was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1999, played six seasons in Major League Baseball. He spent his first five season with the Minnesota Twins, with his best year coming in 2004. Maybe one day he’ll return to the majors, perhaps this time as a hitting coach. In the meantime, Long Islanders say he’s the Best Long Island Duck!

2016: Long Islanders Voted Lew Ford, OF Best Long Island Duck on Long Island

Lew Ford, OF
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-3825. liducks.com
Lew Ford, the Long Island Ducks’ most prolific batter, successfully defended his title of Best Long Island Duck following one of his more unconventional seasons with the Atlantic League baseball team. Ford took a break from the Ducks last season when he left to play in Mexico in July, only to return in September for the team’s postseason push. Still, Ford managed to compile 108 hits and was second in the team in RBIs, with 63. Despite the shortened season, Ford tied for the team league in doubles. The outfielder, who first joined the team in 2009, also serves as a coach, making him one of the most important athletes in the clubhouse—and a fan favorite.

2015: Long Islanders Voted Lew Ford Best Long Island Duck!

Lew Ford
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-3825. liducks.com

Lew Ford’s team first mentality and talent on the field helped him earn the distinction as The Best Long Island Duck on Long Island. Ford spent six seasons in Major League Baseball, including five seasons with the Minnesota Twins. Ford first joined the Ducks in 2009, appearing in 71 games. His best season came in 2014, when he batted .347, knocked in 95 RBI and scored 100 runs. Ford will now take younger hitters under his wing with his new role as team hitting coach.

2014: Long Islanders Voted Ray Navarrete Best Long Island Duck!

1. Ray Navarrete
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. liducks.com

2. Dontrelle Willis
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. liducks.com

3. Lew Ford
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. liducks.com

2013: Long Islanders Voted Ray Navarrete Best LI Duck!

1. Ray Navarrete
3 Belt Drive South, Central Islip. 631-940-3825. www.liducks.com

2. Timo Perez
3 Belt Drive South, Central Islip. 631-940-3825. www.liducks.com

3. Dan Lyons
3 Belt Drive South, Central Islip. 631-940-3825. www.liducks.com

2012: Long Islanders voted Ray Navarrete Best Long Island Duck!

1. Ray Navarrete
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-3825. www.liducks.com

2. Lew Ford
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-3825. www.liducks.com

3. Kraig Binick
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-3825. www.liducks.com

2011: Long Islanders Voted Brendan Monaghan Best LI Duck on Long Island!

1. Brendan Monaghan
www.liducks.com

2. Matt Cavagnaro
www.liducks.com

3. Kane Davis
www.liducks.com

2010: Long Islanders Voted Ray Navarrete Best L.I. Duck!

1. Ray Navarrete
Long Island Ducks, Citibank Park, 3 Courthouse Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-DUCK. www.liducks.com

2. Joe Valentine
3 Courthouse Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-DUCK. www.liducks.com

3. Johnny Hernandez
3 Courthouse Dr., Central Islip. 631-940-DUCK. www.liducks.com