Richie Lewis, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for five teams from 1992 to 1998, died on December 8, 2021, at the age of 55. His family confirmed his death but did not reveal the cause. Lewis was known for his fiery competitiveness and electric fastball, as well as his infectious personality and loyalty to his friends. He was also a two-time All-American and a Hall of Famer at Florida State University, where he set a school record for strikeouts.
A Stellar Career Cut Short by Injury
Lewis was born on January 25, 1966, in Muncie, Indiana, to Kathy and Lawrence Lewis, both teachers. His father coached all of his baseball, football, and basketball teams growing up. Lewis attended Southside High School in Muncie, where his father was the coach for many years. He then went on to Florida State University, where he led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings in 1986 with a 14.2 average. He posted a career record of 38-12 with a 3.22 ERA and helped lead the Seminoles to consecutive World Series appearances. He was inducted into FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.
Lewis was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the second round of the 1987 draft and spent a few years in the minors before making his big-league debut with the Baltimore Orioles on July 31, 1992. He pitched just over four innings in his debut and earned the win. He was selected by the Florida Marlins in the expansion draft later that year and mostly used as a reliever for the rest of his career. His best season was 1993, when he posted a 3.26 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 57 games. He also played for the Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics, and Cincinnati Reds before returning to the Orioles in 1998. He retired after that season due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. He finished his career with a 14-15 record, a 4.88 ERA, and 244 strikeouts in 217 games.
A Personal Struggle with Depression
Lewis had a difficult time adjusting to life after baseball and suffered from depression for many years. He appeared on the national television show Dr. Phil in 2016 and shared his personal struggles with the television personality and psychologist Phil McGraw. He said that beating depression was “by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do” and that he would rather face nine Hall of Famers at the plate than try to beat depression. His former college baseball teammate and good friend Deion Sanders, an NFL Hall of Famer, also appeared on the show to offer his support.
Lewis lived in Melbourne, Florida, and was married to Andrea Lewis, with whom he had three children: Richie Jr., Ryan, and Riley. He also had a younger sister, Emily. He was involved in coaching youth baseball and softball teams and mentoring young players. He was remembered by his former teammates, coaches, friends, and fans as a fierce competitor, a loyal friend, and a great person with a heart of gold.