Richie Lewis

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=black
bgcolor2=#009494
textcolor1=#009494
textcolor2=white
name=Richie Lewis
position=Relief pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1966|1|25|
debutdate=July 31
debutyear=by|1992
debutteam=Baltimore Orioles
finaldate=June 4
finalyear=by|1998
finalteam=Baltimore Orioles
stat1label=ERA
stat1value=4.88
stat2label=Record
stat2value=14-15
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=244
teams=
*Baltimore Orioles (1992, 1998)
*Florida Marlins (1993-1995)
*Detroit Tigers (1996)
*Oakland Athletics (1997)
*Cincinnati Reds (1997)
highlights=
*none

Richie Todd Lewis (born January 25 1966 in Muncie, Indiana) is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from by|1992 to by|1998 for the Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds. He attended South Side High School in Muncie, 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 by|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 by|1989 as a starter, and in by|1990 with the Jacksonville Expos he posted a 1.26 ERA as a reliever.

He made his major league debut on July 31, by|1992 at the age of 26. Standing at the height of 5'6" 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 by|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, by|1998, he bounced around in the minors until 2003.

He was the pitching coach for the Columbus Catfish in 2006.

Statistically, he is most similar to Carlos Almanzar. He spent seven professional seasons with Julio Mosquera, longer than any other teammate.

Major transactions

*On August 24, by|1991, he was traded by the Expos to the Orioles for minor leaguer Chris Myers.
*On November 17, by|1992, the Marlins selected him as the 51st pick in the expansion draft.
*On March 22, by|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.

ee also

*Florida Marlins all-time roster

External links

*baseball-reference|id=l/lewisri01