Though his big league career wasn't particularly noteworth, his professional career was pretty impressive. It spanned 17 seasons and included stops in Canada, Mexico and South Korea.

And in the New York Mets chain. He was the consummate Triple-A pitcher, spending all or part of 11 seasons at that level—and from 1999 to 2001, he called the Mets' Triple-A franchise, Norfolk, home.

He also spent parts of 2000 and 2001 in the Indians system.

Though a reliever for most of his career, he was a member of the starting rotation when in the Mets organization. He was a ho-hum 7-8 in 1999, but in 2000 he had a 3.21 ERA in 9 starts and in 2001, his winning percentage was .636.

He didn't call too many prominent future Mets teammates while in their system, but he did play on the same clubs as Edgardo Alfonzo, Rick Reed, Benny Agbayani, Bobby Jones, Steve Trachsel, Bobby Bonilla and Joe McEwing, as well as with those who made their names elsewhere, like Melvin Mora, Jason Isringhausen and Ty Wigginton.

My personal connection to Lewis is, as with many players, through the mail. I sent him a couple autograph requests through his home address in 2013, though he never responded.

Unfortunately, Lewis passed away on December 8, 2021 at 55 years old.