[GeoPoto]

Player #170B: John K. "Buddy" Lewis. Third baseman/right fielder for the Washington Senators in 1935-1941, 1945-1947, and 1949. 1,563 hits and 71 home runs in 11 MLB seasons. He played his entire career in Washington. 2-time All-Star. He had a career OBP of .368. His most productive season was 1938 as he posted an OBP of .354 with 122 runs scored and 91 RBIs in 724 plate appearances.

Lewis overcame defensive struggles at third base to forge a fine career, hitting .297 in 11 seasons with the Senators. His career was interrupted in his prime during World War II but when he returned in 1945, he nearly drove the Senators to the American League pennant, hitting .333 to lead the club to within one game of the flag.

He was one of the most popular players in Senators history, and he was a personal favorite of team owner Clark Griffith. His best season came in 1940 in his first season as a right fielder. Lewis, then able to concentrate almost exclusively on his offensive production, hit .317 in 148 games, with 101 runs scored and 63 RBI. He set a career high with 38 doubles, collected 10 triples, and had 6 homers. He also drew 74 free passes, hitting primarily in the #2 spot in the order, giving him an OBP of .393. Lewis made 9 errors in the outfield, but that was less damaging than the normal basketful he made at the hot corner.

He was selected to the All-Star team as a third baseman in 1938 and as an outfielder in 1947.