Darren Ford signs with Mariners

Pinch-runner Darren Ford scores the go-ahead run from second base on a wild pitch and throwing error in the 8th inning of the Giants' game against the Rockies on Sept. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Speedy outfielder Darren Ford, who was released by the Giants on Nov. 18, has been signed by the Seattle Mariners.

According to the Seattle Times, Ford, who batted .286 with 7 stolen bases in 26 games with the Giants last season, is a favorite of Mariners assistant GM Tony Blengino, who drafted the then 18-year old in the 18th round of the 2004 draft when he was with the Brewers.

In seven minor league seasons, Ford has accumulated 306 stolen bases, including 60 or more steals in three straight seasons.

He swiped 69 bases in the Sally League (A) in 2006 and 67 the following year at West Virginia (A) and Brevard County (High A). In 2008, he stole 62 bases between Brevard County and San Jose.

Ford is best remembered by Giants fans for wreaking havoc on the base paths during the San Francisco’s 2010 pennant chase.

That season, Ford was used almost exclusively as a pinch runner by manager Bruce Bochy.

But he was injured most of last season and never really got it going.

Some fans may remember that Ford ran into a bit of trouble in November 2009, when he was arrested by police in New Jersey for making a false report to law enforcement and other charges stemming from an incident in which he claimed he was robbed at gunpoint of $1,500 worth of auto parts he was transporting for his employer. The charges were dropped when Ford agreed to a pre-trial intervention.

Aside from his snafu with the law, I’ve always liked Ford and thought he would make a good leadoff hitter in San Francisco if given the chance to play regularly.