Richie Lewis
From BR Bullpen
Richie Todd Lewis
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 6", Weight 175 lb.
- School Florida State University
- High School Muncie Southside High School
- Debut July 31, 1992
- Final Game June 4, 1998
- Born January 25, 1966 in Muncie, IN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Richie Lewis played baseball at Muncie Southside High School in Indiana, where his father was the coach for many years. He then went on to attend Florida State University.
Originally drafted by the Montreal Expos 44th overall in the 1987 draft, Lewis spent a few years in the minors before making his big-league debut. He played only two games professionally in 1987, both in AAA ball. He would prove to be a very valuable minor league player over the next few seasons, both as a starter and reliever. For example, he posted a 2.58 ERA in 1989 as a starter, and in 1990 with the Jacksonville Expos he posted a 1.26 ERA as a reliever.
He made his Major League debut on July 31, 1992 at the age of 26. Standing at the height of 5'6" (although he was listed at 5'10") tall, Lewis-who is one of the shortest players ever to pitch in the Majors-pitched just over four innings in his debut (he started the game). He gave up five hits and walked six, but he still managed to earn the win.
He would mostly be used as a reliever for the rest of his career, with his best season being 1993. In 57 games, he posted a 3.26 ERA and 65 strikeouts. Overall, he went 14 and 15 in his career, with 191 walks, 244 strikeouts and a 4.88 ERA in 217 games. Although his Major League career ended on June 4, 1998, he bounced around in the minors until 2003.
He was the pitching coach for the Columbus Catfish in 2006.
[edit] Major transactions
- On August 24, 1991, he was traded by the Expos to the Orioles for minor leaguer Chris Myers.
- On November 17, 1992, the Marlins selected him as the 51st pick in the expansion draft.
- On March 22, 1996, he was traded by the San Diego Padres with Raul Casanova and Melvin Nieves to the Detroit Tigers for Sean Bergman, Todd Steverson, and minor leaguer Cade Gaspar.
