Kusiak talks pro opportunity, thought of being traded
Henry Kusiak was the best hitter on his team for five games with the Long Island Ducks to start his 2026 campaign. But when he got a call at 10 p. m.
from his manager, Lew Ford, his first thought wasn’t necessarily optimistic. “I thought he was going to tell me he traded me,” Kusiak said. When asked about Kusiak’s thought, Ford laughed and said: “They’re not expecting a call from their manager, usually, on their off day and at night.
But I had good news for him, and I knew he was going to be excited. ” That thought had entered the former MSSU star’s mind because the Ducks were loaded with middle infielders. In fact, Kusiak had played outfield to start the season.
His position for his career with the Lions at Missouri Southern State University was shortstop. He was thinking maybe Ford had to make a trade to go get a pitcher or something and clear out some of the second basemen/shortstops on the team. “He didn’t know how else to tell me other than ‘you’ve been picked up by the (Minnesota) Twins,’” Kusiak said.
“I think he was involved in some way, so, I’m thankful to him. ” Ford spoke about having a connection with the Minnesota Twins. “The Twins have signed a couple of our guys.