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Johnny Lewis

Johnny Lewis
Ultimate Mets Database popularity ranking: 205 of 1218 players
Lewis
Johnny Joe Lewis
Born: August 10, 1939 at Greenville, Ala.
Died: July 28, 2018 at Pensacola, Fla.
Throws: Right Bats: Left
Height: 6.01 Weight: 189

Johnny Lewis was the most popular Ultimate Mets Database daily lookup on August 10, 2009, July 23, 2011, July 3, 2013, July 29, 2018, July 30, 2018, and August 4, 2018.

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First Mets game: April 12, 1965
Last Mets game: June 11, 1967

Share your memories of Johnny Lewis

HERE IS WHAT OTHER METS FANS HAVE TO SAY:

Lee
First Met game I ever saw was in the old Connie Mack Stadium ('65) in Philly. Lewis hits a home run and the Mets win.

Rick
October 19, 2001
I believe it was Johnny who broke up a no-hitter by the Red's Jim Malony, and won the game for the Mets in 10 innings.

Alan budick
January 5, 2002
On a radio interview prior to the 1967 season, manager Wes Westrum said that Johnny Lewis was the best centerfielder he had seen since Willie Mays!!!!! Well I guess he saw something we never did. Johnny was an average player at best. Coached for many years with the Cardinals and I think he still works for them.

Joe Figliola
March 28, 2003
I first heard of Johnny Lewis as a coach with the Cardinals in 1973, but was surprised to learn on a broadcast that he was a Met. And a pretty good one, too in 1965. Can anyone out there clue me in as to why he went down the tubes so quickly?

Feat Fan
February 21, 2004
Seems that I always find a few of these marginal types to root for. Lewis actually had decent numbers in '65 and a cannon for an arm. As the Mets improved, he lost playing time and drifted out of baseball early.

A few other names that were of similar stature in that era were Adolpho Phillips, Byron Browne, Billy Cowan,Steve Whitaker,Ollie Brown... These were all talented, speedy, strong armed outfielders that had "moments" but never sustained any long term success.

Danny Brackett
August 8, 2004
I first saw Johnny Lewis in Class A baseball in Rock Hill, SC. Steve Carlton was on that team and Sparky Anderson was the Manager. They were so good most of their players advanced by mid-year. I believe Johnny had the nickname "Sweet Pea".

Tracy Lewis
June 11, 2008
My memories of Johnny Lewis are great memories; that's because he is my father. His career did not end when he left the Mets as a player. My father continued to leave his mark within the Major League Baseball organization.

My father continued his career in baseball as a manager, batting coach and a scout. He also assisted in leading the St. Louis Cardinals to many World Series in which they won.

My father's career as a player may have been short, but it was memorable enough, in order for some to remember his name. Thank you to all who have posted memories of my father.

I would like for you all to know that he recently retired from the Houston Astros and is doing very well in retirement.

Tracy Lewis

Bob P
June 13, 2008
Tracy,

Thanks so much for posting. Please tell your dad that there are many, many Mets fans who remember him fondly!

Steve T.
July 13, 2010
It's been 2 years since Johnny's son Tracy posted, but I wanted to say that my father who is a big Mets fan hardly ever pointed out to me about how good a players skills were, but he did when he saw Johnny throw. He said to me, son, that kid has a cannon for an arm. It reminded him of Carl Furillo of the Brooklyn Dodgers, strong and accurate. I'm glad that Johnny is doing well in retirement.

harry
October 19, 2011
I was 11 years old when the Mets began. I probably saw 30 games a year for the first six years. I will always remember Johnny Lewis' fielding and arm. He was a favorite of mine during his brief stay. I am glad to find out that he continued to have a great career in baseball.

John Abrams
January 4, 2013
I went to quite a few Mets games growing up, and Johnny Lewis was a big name for us in 1965. Those teams lost a lot of games, so players like Johnny gave us something to root for. I hope all continues to go well for Johnny.

Brian Mouland
January 4, 2013
Johnny managed the Calgary Cardinals of the Pioneer Baseball League in the 1970s.

lanzarishi
April 28, 2014
Johnny Lewis was my favorite Met for the short time he was with us. Always had a strong arm which was a weapon! I remember thinking at the time Roberto Clemente and Johnny Lewis had the two strongest throwing arms in the National League. He also had the greatest 'look' of any player on the Mets. His baseball cards were great and he was quite handsome. I hope he is well and wish he would show up at some Mets event so we could show him just how loved he really was.

Valencia Johnson
August 19, 2018
Johnny Lewis is my father, I am the oldest of five siblings. Valencia , Johnny, Jeremiah, Leslie and Tracy. We are so very proud of our father, his legacy will live forever! I will take with me his strength, grace, and courage!!!!

I love you forever dad!!!Enjoy your new life, and live it to the fullest!!!!!!!!

Missing you dearly!!!!!!!

Jim Gonzales
September 30, 2018
Coach at the age of 30, I finally understood what you were teaching us, and it wasn’t baseball. May you Rest In Peace Johnny, friend. I think about you still today. Jim

Jim Gonzales
September 30, 2018
Best quote Johnny told all of his players is "You know what it’s like to walk down the street with $1000 in your pocket, and buy what you want....that’s what you can have just got to work." That quote wasn’t about money, but confidence and belief in ourselves, white black hispanic. Johnny treated us all the same, as players. Thanks Johnny.
Jim








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