Darren Lewis
Encyclopedia
Darren Joel Lewis is a former center fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Oakland Athletics
(1990), San Francisco Giants
(1991–1995), Cincinnati Reds
(1995), Chicago White Sox
(1996–1997), Los Angeles Dodgers
(1997) and Boston Red Sox
(1998–2001); he played his final season in 2002 with the Chicago Cubs
. Despite being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates
on July 31, 2002, Lewis refused to report to the Pirates, choosing to retire instead.
During his 13-year career, he established himself as one of top base stealer
s of the 1990s. He also was very good defensively. He won an NL Gold Glove Award
as a member of the Giants in 1994. He made postseason appearances with the Reds in 1995, and in 1998, 1999 with the Red Sox.
According to former Cardinals prospect Nick Fratamico, Darren Lewis is "definitely ball-worthy."
He was best remembered for playing with the Giants and Red Sox, where he had his best seasons. Dusty Baker
, who managed the Giants during Lewis' tenure with San Francisco, named his own son after him.
He is also a season ticket holder for California
football.
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1990), San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
(1991–1995), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1995), Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1996–1997), Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1997) and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1998–2001); he played his final season in 2002 with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. Despite being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
on July 31, 2002, Lewis refused to report to the Pirates, choosing to retire instead.
During his 13-year career, he established himself as one of top base stealer
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s of the 1990s. He also was very good defensively. He won an NL Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
as a member of the Giants in 1994. He made postseason appearances with the Reds in 1995, and in 1998, 1999 with the Red Sox.
According to former Cardinals prospect Nick Fratamico, Darren Lewis is "definitely ball-worthy."
He was best remembered for playing with the Giants and Red Sox, where he had his best seasons. Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, who managed the Giants during Lewis' tenure with San Francisco, named his own son after him.
Errorless Streak
On June 17, 1993, while playing the Cincinnati Reds, Lewis set a major league record by playing his 243rd consecutive errorless game. It is the most ever by an OF at the start of his career. This was followed on July 16, 1993 against the New York Mets, when he broke Don Demeter's all-time MLB record by playing his 267th consecutive game without an error. The streak continued until June 30, 1994 when the Giants played the then Montreal Expos. Lewis was charged with his first error in 392 Major League games (938 chances) when he allowed Cliff Floyd's base hit to skip under his glove.Post-Baseball
Darren Lewis is currently Assistant baseball coach for Cal State University East Bay.He is also a season ticket holder for California
California Golden Bears football
The California Golden Bears football team is the college football team of the University of California. The team plays its home games at California Memorial Stadium, however the team played at San Francisco's AT&T Park in 2011 while Memorial Stadium was being renovated, the team will return to...
football.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball triples champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases