Buddy Lewis
Born: 8/10/1916 in Gastonia, NC, USA
Died: 2/18/2011 in Gastonia, NC, USA
MLB Debut: 1935-09-16 | Final Game: 1949-09-30
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: John Kelly Lewis
Biography
Buddy Lewis was a talented position player who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball from 1935 to 1949. Born in 1916, he played the majority of his career with the Washington Senators, where he became known for his impressive batting skills and versatility on the field. Over the course of 1,349 games, Lewis recorded 1,563 hits, achieving a commendable batting average of .297. His offensive contributions included 71 home runs and 607 RBIs, along with 83 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to both drive in runs and add speed to the basepaths.
Lewis was selected as an All-Star twice during his career, a testament to his talent and the respect he earned among his peers. His playing style was characterized by a keen eye at the plate and a solid defensive presence, making him a valuable asset to his team during a competitive era in baseball. His career unfolded during a time of significant change in the sport, as the game was evolving in the wake of World War II and the eventual integration of baseball. Through his contributions on the field, Buddy Lewis left a lasting legacy in the annals of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1349 | 5261 | 830 | 1563 | 249 | 93 | 71 | 607 | 83 | 573 | 303 | 0.297 | 0.368 | 0.420 | 0.789 | 10021.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | WSN | AL | 8 | 28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.107 | 0.0 |
| 1936 | WSN | AL | 143 | 601 | 100 | 175 | 21 | 13 | 6 | 67 | 6 | 47 | 46 | 0.291 | -170.9 |
| 1937 | WSN | AL | 156 | 668 | 107 | 210 | 32 | 6 | 10 | 79 | 11 | 52 | 44 | 0.314 | 955.9 |
| 1938 | WSN | AL | 151 | 656 | 122 | 194 | 35 | 9 | 12 | 91 | 17 | 58 | 35 | 0.296 | 780.4 |
| 1939 | WSN | AL | 140 | 536 | 87 | 171 | 23 | 16 | 10 | 75 | 10 | 72 | 27 | 0.319 | 2170.6 |
| 1940 | WSN | AL | 148 | 600 | 101 | 190 | 38 | 10 | 6 | 63 | 15 | 74 | 36 | 0.317 | 2012.5 |
| 1941 | WSN | AL | 149 | 569 | 97 | 169 | 29 | 11 | 9 | 72 | 10 | 82 | 30 | 0.297 | 1932.7 |
| 1945 | WSN | AL | 69 | 258 | 42 | 86 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 37 | 1 | 37 | 15 | 0.333 | 1419.7 |
| 1946 | WSN | AL | 150 | 582 | 82 | 170 | 28 | 13 | 7 | 45 | 5 | 59 | 26 | 0.292 | 1463.2 |
| 1947 | WSN | AL | 140 | 506 | 67 | 132 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 48 | 6 | 51 | 27 | 0.261 | -555.7 |
| 1949 | WSN | AL | 95 | 257 | 25 | 63 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 28 | 2 | 41 | 12 | 0.245 | 12.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 671 | 0 | 679 | 1415 | 164 | 141 |
| OF | 619 | 0 | 1285 | 66 | 41 | 15 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | WS1 | 3B | 6 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| 1936 | WS1 | 3B | 139 | 0 | 152 | 297 | 32 | 24 |
| 1937 | WS1 | 3B | 156 | 0 | 146 | 293 | 29 | 32 |
| 1938 | WS1 | 3B | 151 | 0 | 161 | 329 | 47 | 32 |
| 1939 | WS1 | 3B | 134 | 0 | 122 | 326 | 32 | 31 |
| 1940 | WS1 | 3B | 36 | 0 | 42 | 72 | 6 | 11 |
| 1940 | WS1 | OF | 112 | 0 | 206 | 11 | 9 | 1 |
| 1941 | WS1 | 3B | 49 | 0 | 51 | 87 | 17 | 10 |
| 1941 | WS1 | OF | 96 | 0 | 229 | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| 1945 | WS1 | OF | 69 | 0 | 151 | 8 | 3 | 3 |
| 1946 | WS1 | OF | 145 | 0 | 304 | 16 | 10 | 5 |
| 1947 | WS1 | OF | 130 | 0 | 259 | 11 | 9 | 2 |
| 1949 | WS1 | OF | 67 | 0 | 136 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 671 |
| Left Field | 8 |
| Center Field | 1 |
| Right Field | 611 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 24th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1937 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 16th | 7.0 | 80 | 0 |