NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1971 ALLAN LEWIS

Today on the blog we have a “not so missing” 1971 card for the “Panamanian Express” Allan Lewis, a prototype of sorts of the “designated runner” the Oakland A’s would really utilize later in the mid-70’s:

Before Herb Washington, before Larry Lintz, Lewis put in a six season Major League career that saw him have more game appearances than at-bats, usually in the pinch-running role between 1967 and 1973, all with the Athletics organization.
In 1969, Lewis appeared in 12 games for Oakland, but getting only one hitless plate appearance while scoring two runs without a stolen base.
In 1970, Lewis appeared in 25 games, picked up eight at-bats, and collected two hits for s .250 aevrage, while stealing seven bases on eight attempts.
It was the common thread for him over his career, as he would end up with 156 games played in the Big Leagues while only collecting 31 plate appearances and 29 “official” at-bats, picking up six hits for a .207 batting average while scoring 47 runs and stealing 44 bases.
In his final MLB season of 1973, he appeared in 35 games, all as a pinch runner, scored 16 runs and stole seven bases, without a single plate appearance.
In 1966 while with Leesburg of the Florida State League he set a Minor League record with 116 stolen bases in 131 games, a record that stood until Alan Wiggins stole 120 in 1980.
Over his entire professional career between 1961 and 1973, he would steal 530 bases across all levels, with 486 of those in Minor League play.

NOT REALLY MISSING IN ACTION- 1970 ALLAN LEWIS

Time to go ahead and give former pinch runner Allan Lewis a “not so missing” 1970 card, what I hope is the first of a few for the blog over the coming months:

Before Herb Washington, before Larry Lintz, Lewis put in a six season Major League career that saw him have more game appearances than at-bats, usually in the pinch-running role between 1967 and 1973, all with the Athletics organization.
In 1969, Lewis appeared in 12 games for Oakland, but getting only one hitless plate appearance while scoring two runs without a stolen base.
It was the common thread for him over his career, as he would end up with 156 games played in the Big Leagues while only collecting 31 plate appearances and 29 “official” at-bats, picking up six hits for a .207 batting average while scoring 47 runs and stealing 44 bases.
In his final MLB season of 1973, he appeared in 35 games, all as a pinch runner, scored 16 runs and stole seven bases, without a single plate appearance.
In 1966 while with Leesburg of the Florida State League he set a Minor League record with 116 stolen bases in 131 games, a record that stood until Alan Wiggins stole 120 in 1980.
Over his entire professional career between 1961 and 1973, he would steal 530 bases across all levels, with 486 of those in Minor League play.