Player Of The Week

DAN FORD: In 1982, the Baltimore right-fielder hit .235 and was accused of drug abuse, an allegation he denies. The 1983 model Ford had a .342 average through Sunday, and last week he homered in three straight contests and had three game-winning hits.

Ford's four-bagger to right with one out in the eighth was Baltimore's lone hit off Chicago's Rich Dot son, who lost 1-0. On Thursday Ford slammed a two-run homer to left in the eighth to beat Toronto 2-1.

To forget his problems last year. Ford spent many nights on Chesapeake Bay aboard his 21-foot cruiser Callie Mae. "I'd drop anchor, turn on the music and try to find peace with myself," Ford says. "I'd never been booed. Tears came because it hurt so bad."

His recent success may be the result of a new stance. "I'm not turned as much," says Ford, a righthanded batter whose left shoulder used to be pointed almost at first base. "I'm squared off more and I'm seeing the ball better. I'm also trying to lift myself for games, psyching myself."