Richie Lewis |
Full Name: Richie Todd Lewis Born: January 25, 1966, Muncie, Ind. Died: December 8, 2021, Melbourne, Fla. School: Muncie High School in Muncie, Indiana Legacy Bricks: Legacy Walk Map Link 1995 Baseball HOF - Loc 44 1986, 87 Baseball AA - Loc 63 |
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FSU Career |
Baseball | |
Year No Pos Hgt Wgt B T Cl Ltr Hometown 1985 4 P 5-9 165 R R Fr * Muncie, IN 1986 4 P 5-10 175 R R So * Losantville, IN 1987 4 P 5-10 176 R R Jr * Muncie, IN |
Conference Awards |
Baseball |
Year Award 1985 Metro Conference - All-Tournament Team 1987 Metro Conference - All-Tournament Team |
All-American Awards |
Baseball |
Year Award 1985 Baseball America - 1st Team Freshman All-American 1986 Baseball America - 1st Team All-American 1987 Baseball America - 1st Team All-American The Sporting News - 1st Team All-American American Baseball Coaches Association - 2nd Team All-American |
Member of the FSU Hall of Fame |
Elected into the FSU Hall of Fame in 1995 |
With determination equal to his enormous talent, Richie Lewis established himself as one of the finest pitchers to ever take the mound at Florida State. Lewis coupled with competitive spirit with his
blazing fastball and devastating curve to dominate opposing batters. In only three seasons (1985-87), Lewis recorded 520 strikeouts in 392.2 innings. This not only remains a Seminole all-time record, but is also second in the NCAA record book. With overpowering arsenal, Lewis led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings in 1986 with a 14.2 average. He finished his career with 38 wins against only 12 losses. After leading FSU to consecutive College World Series appearances, Lewis collected rare back to back First Team All-America honors. After his junior season, Lewis was
drafted by the Montreal Expos in the second round and has enjoyed a long professional career with Major League appearances for both the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins. Former Florida State All-American pitcher, Hall of Famer Richie Lewis dies. By Jim Henry, Tallahassee Democrat, posted Dec 8, 2021 Former Florida State pitcher Richie Lewis, known for his fiery competitiveness and electric fastball, has died, according to his family Wednesday. Lewis, a 5-foot-7 right-hander, was considered one of the best pitchers to ever take the mound at FSU. He recorded a school-record 520 strikeouts over three seasons (1985-87) and helped lead the Seminoles to consecutive World Series appearances. A second-round draft selection, Lewis played seven years in the majors before being forced to retire due to injury. Lewis, 55, lived in Melbourne and was married with three grown children. "Richie made a lot of kids want to play and a lot of adults want to watch college baseball," FSU baseball coach Mike Martin Jr. said Wednesday. "He was dominant on the mound but his infectious personality is what many friends will remember most. He was a loyal friend that will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Andrea and the kids." In 2016, Lewis appeared on the national television show Dr. Phil and shared his personal struggles with depression with the television personality and psychologist, Phil McGraw. "Beating this depression is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do," Lewis said on the show. "I would rather face nine Hall of Famers at the plate than to try and beat depression." Former Seminole All-American and NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders also appeared on the show to offer his support to his former college baseball teammate and good friend. Lewis signed with FSU out of Muncie, Indiana. Lewis led the nation in strikeouts per nine innings in as a sophomore in 1986 with a 14.2 average. He posted a career record of 38-12 with a 3.22 ERA. Lewis was a two-time All-American and inducted into FSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995. His 520 strikeouts currently ranks third all-time in NCAA history. "Richie was pit bull tough," said former FSU catcher and teammate Barry Blackwell, a Siesta Key resident who considered Lewis his best friend. "I wish I had a singular answer of what (made him special). It was a multitude of things. He was first to the ballpark, always in a good mood, would do anything for you, always wanted to compete. He only knew how to compete. That was his greatest gift other than being a great person. He had a heart of gold. "The pouring out of support from the Seminole Nation and the baseball fraternity, it has been amazing, unbelievable. At some point, we are all forced to take the uniform off. But, by then, the Garnet and Gold is part of you." Mike Martin, who retired after the 2019 season after 40 years as FSU's head coach, recalled Lewis' intense desire. He laughed as he described a scrimmage matchup between Lewis and the left-handed hitting Sanders. "Let's just stay they were getting after it, neither wanting to lose," Martin said. Sanders worked the count to 3-2, fouled off three or four consecutive pitches and then laced a line drive back at Lewis. Lewis "threw his glove up" outside his right shoulder and and caught the ball for an out. "He then took the ball and glove and slammed it to the ground," Martin said and chuckled. "Richie was a guy who believed in himself and he never got down on himself if things didn't exactly go right. He was ready that next pitch, that next inning or that next game. He was just a guy who enjoyed competing." Lewis was used primarily out of the bullpen in the major leagues, where he went 14-15 with a 4.88 ERA. His best season was with the Miami Marlins in 1993, when he posted a 3.26 ERA with 65 strikeouts. Lewis made a team-high 45
appearances out of the bullpen for the Marlins in 1994. |
FSU Statistics |
Baseball |
Pitching Statistics Year ERA W L APP GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR AB B/AVG WP HBP BK SFA SHA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1985 2.91 9 6 35 5 1 0 5 105.0 68 53 34 72 122 10 0 8 14 7 1 1986 3.60 14 2 28 16 8 1 0 4 127.2 105 61 51 72 202 19 4 14 15 1987 3.12 15 4 23 19 7 0 0 2 150.0 106 66 52 88 196 14 14 7 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tot 3.22 38 12 86 40 16 1 0 11 382.2 279 180 137 232 520 29 4 36 0 .000 43 14 2 0 0 |
Batting Statistics YEAR AVG GP GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO GDP OB% SF SH SB ATT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1986 .000 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1 0 .500 0 0 0 0 1987 .200 29 19 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 .200 1 0 1 .333 0 0 0 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tot .167 31 19 6 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 .167 2 0 1 0 .375 0 0 0 0 |
Fielding Statistics Year PO AST E FLD% DP ---------------------------- 1986 0 1 1 .500 1987 5 31 4 .900 ---------------------------- Tot 5 32 5 .881 0 |
Baseball |
Game Statistics 1985 Date Opponent W L APP GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feb 6 Armstrong State Coll 1 1 2.0 1 0 0 1 2 Feb 9 South Florida 1 1 7.2 5 1 1 5 10 Feb 12 Grambling State 1 2.0 0 1 1 2 4 Feb 15 Samford 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 3 Feb 16 Southern Mississippi 1 1 4.1 2 1 1 1 7 Feb 24 Miami 1 Y 8.1 3 4 4 4 5 Feb 26 Georgia Southern 1 1 1.1 1 0 0 0 1 Mar 2 Ball State 1 1 Y 3.1 8 9 4 4 5 Mar 3 Ball State 1 1 2.1 2 1 1 1 3 Mar 6 Jacksonville 1 1 Y 6.0 5 6 3 7 11 Mar 9 South Florida 1 1 2.1 0 0 0 2 1 Mar 11 Western Kentucky 1 1 Y 1 9.0 2 5 4 5 11 Mar 15 Florida 1 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 Mar 19 Pittsburgh 1 1.0 2 0 0 1 1 Mar 20 Pittsburgh 1 0.2 2 2 1 1 1 Mar 24 Southern Mississippi 1 1 3.0 2 2 2 3 5 Mar 28 Florida 1 0.2 2 2 2 1 2 Mar 30 Memphis State 1 1 Y 6.2 4 3 2 5 3 Apr 2 Florida 1 2.0 2 1 1 1 0 Apr 3 Jacksonville 1 3.0 1 0 0 0 3 Apr 5 Tulane 1 1 2.0 0 0 0 0 3 Apr 10 Central Florida 1 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 Apr 12 Miami 1 1.1 0 0 0 2 0 Apr 14 Miami 1 1 4.1 7 4 3 4 5 Apr 16 Georgia Southern 1 1 3.0 2 0 0 1 3 Apr 20 Memphis State 1 1 1.0 2 3 3 1 2 Apr 29 Georgia Tech 1 2.0 2 2 0 4 1 May 2 South Alabama 1 1 2.1 0 0 0 0 3 May 4 Tulane 1 1 3.0 2 0 0 0 2 May 5 Tulane 1 1 4.0 4 2 0 2 4 May 11 South Carolina 1 1 3.0 0 0 0 1 3 May 12 Virginia Tech 1 1 2.0 0 0 0 0 4 May 12 South Carolina 1 1 3.2 3 1 1 2 6 May 25 Arkansas 1 3.1 1 0 0 2 4 May 25 Georgia Tech 1 2.2 3 3 3 3 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tot 10 6 35 5 1 0 1 4 105.2 70 53 37 67 122 1986 Date Opponent W L APP GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feb 15 Southern Mississippi 1 1 Y 1 1 7.0 5 0 0 2 10 Feb 22 Georgia Tech 1 1 Y 1 9.0 7 4 4 2 13 Feb 26 Florida 1 1 Y 6.2 7 5 2 5 9 Mar 4 South Florida 1 1 Y 6.1 3 5 5 10 14 Mar 9 FL International 1 Y 5.0 12 8 8 2 5 Mar 14 Richmond 1 1 Y 1 9.0 7 1 0 3 14 Mar 19 Pittsburgh 1 1 Y 6.0 1 0 0 2 13 Mar 24 South Alabama 1 1 Y 5.0 8 6 3 4 4 Mar 27 South Alabama 1 2.0 3 1 1 4 3 Mar 29 Memphis State 1 1 Y 1 7.0 1 1 1 4 11 Apr 1 Central Florida 1 1 0.0 0 0 0 1 2 Apr 3 Jacksonville 1 1 Y 1 9.0 5 2 2 5 20 Apr 8 Jacksonville 1 1 Y 6.0 6 3 3 6 8 Apr 12 Miami 1 1 Y 1 9.0 4 4 4 4 9 Apr 19 Memphis State 1 1 Y 1 7.0 5 5 4 2 12 Apr 26 Central Florida 1 0.0 2 1 1 1 0 May 2 Miami 1 Y 0.2 6 8 3 2 2 May 4 Miami 1 0.2 4 0 0 0 1 May 10 South Carolina 1 2.0 3 3 3 1 2 May 11 South Carolina 1 1 Y 1 9.0 6 2 2 2 13 May 19 Louisiana State 1 2.0 0 0 0 2 4 May 23 Texas A&M 1 1 3.1 0 0 0 0 8 May 24 South Florida 1 1 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 May 31 Indiana State 1 1 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 Jun 3 Miami 1 1 Y 1 9.0 11 2 1 4 10 Jun 7 Oklahoma State 1 1 5.0 1 0 0 2 8 Jun 8 Miami 1 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 Jun 9 Arizona 1 1.2 4 5 5 1 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tot 14 2 28 16 9 1 0 4 129.0 111 66 52 71 201 1987 Date Opponent W L APP GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feb 17 Samford 1 1 Y 7.0 5 1 0 3 9 Feb 22 Louisiana State 1 1 Y 1 9.0 4 1 0 13 12 Feb 28 Southern Mississippi 1 1 Y 5.0 2 1 0 0 6 Mar 8 South Florida 1 1 Y 6.0 4 3 3 1 11 Mar 12 South Florida 1 1 Y 1 9.0 5 1 1 4 10 Mar 16 UNC-Charlotte 1 1 Y 1 9.0 7 1 1 2 20 Mar 21 Southern Mississippi 1 1 Y 1 7.0 3 2 2 3 4 Mar 24 Central Florida 1 1 Y 6.0 4 4 3 5 12 Mar 28 Memphis State 1 1 Y 1 7.0 5 1 1 3 8 Apr 1 Georgia Tech 1 1 Y 6.1 8 8 7 7 10 Apr 10 Miami 1 1 Y 7.0 3 1 1 1 10 Apr 12 Miami 1 1 4.2 5 2 2 3 7 Apr 18 Memphis State 1 1 Y 1 7.0 7 4 4 5 8 Apr 25 Jacksonville 1 Y 4.2 2 7 7 11 2 May 1 Miami 1 Y 7.0 5 2 2 9 8 May 3 Miami 1 1 1.2 0 0 0 2 2 May 6 Florida 1 1 Y 5.0 7 7 5 2 3 May 9 Mercer 1 1 4.0 4 2 2 0 6 May 14 Virginia Tech 1 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 3 May 15 South Carolina 1 1 Y 8.1 5 4 2 5 12 May 22 Miami 1 1 Y 1 9.0 4 2 2 3 8 May 29 Louisiana State 1 1 Y 9.2 7 6 1 3 12 Jun 3 Texas 1 1 Y 9.2 10 6 6 3 13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tot 15 4 23 19 7 0 0 2 150.0 106 66 52 88 196 |
1985 Date Opponent BAT AVG GP GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB HBP SO SF SH SB ATT PO A E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feb 6 Armstrong State Coll *a .000 1 0 0 Feb 9 South Florida *a .000 1 0 0 Feb 12 Grambling State *a .000 1 0 0 Feb 15 Samford *c .000 1 0 0 Feb 16 Southern Mississippi *a .000 1 0 0 Feb 24 Miami * .000 1 P 0 0 Feb 26 Georgia Southern *b .000 1 0 0 Mar 2 Ball State * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 3 Ball State *a .000 1 0 0 Mar 6 Jacksonville * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 9 South Florida *a .000 1 0 0 Mar 11 Western Kentucky * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 14 Samford 7a .000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Mar 15 Florida *b .000 1 0 0 Mar 19 Pittsburgh 2c .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Mar 20 Pittsburgh *a .000 1 0 0 Mar 24 Southern Mississippi *a .000 1 0 0 Mar 28 Florida *a .000 1 0 0 Mar 30 Memphis State * .000 1 P 0 0 1 Apr 2 Florida *a .000 1 0 0 Apr 3 Jacksonville *b .000 1 0 0 Apr 5 Tulane *b .000 1 0 0 Apr 9 Central Florida 3a .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Apr 10 Central Florida *b .000 1 0 0 Apr 12 Miami *a .000 1 0 0 Apr 14 Miami *a .000 1 0 0 Apr 16 Georgia Southern 7d .000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Apr 20 Memphis State *a .000 1 0 0 Apr 29 Georgia Tech *b .000 1 0 0 1 May 2 South Alabama *c .000 1 0 0 May 4 Tulane *a .000 1 0 0 May 5 Tulane *b .000 1 0 0 May 10 Cincinnati 6b .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 May 11 South Carolina *b .000 1 0 0 May 12 Virginia Tech *a .000 1 0 0 May 12 South Carolina *c .000 1 0 0 May 25 Arkansas *b .000 1 0 0 0 0 May 25 Georgia Tech *b .000 1 0 0 0 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .000 38 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 1986 Date Opponent BAT AVG GP GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB HBP SO SF SH SB ATT PO A E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feb 12 Grambling State 8a .000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 Feb 15 Southern Mississippi * .000 1 P 0 0 Feb 22 Georgia Tech * .000 1 P 0 0 1 Feb 26 Florida * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 4 South Florida * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 9 FL International * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 14 Richmond * .000 1 P 0 0 1 Mar 15 Richmond 9a .000 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Mar 19 Pittsburgh * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 24 South Alabama * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 27 South Alabama *d .000 1 0 0 Mar 29 Memphis State * .000 1 P 0 0 Apr 1 Central Florida *d .000 1 0 0 Apr 3 Jacksonville * .000 1 P 0 0 Apr 8 Jacksonville * .000 1 P 0 0 Apr 12 Miami * .000 1 P 0 0 Apr 19 Memphis State * .000 1 P 0 0 Apr 26 Central Florida *a .000 1 0 0 May 2 Miami * .000 1 P 0 0 May 4 Miami *b .000 1 0 0 May 10 South Carolina *a .000 1 0 0 1 0 May 11 South Carolina * .000 1 P 0 0 2 1 May 19 Louisiana State *c .000 1 0 0 May 23 Texas A&M *c .000 1 0 0 0 0 May 24 South Florida *a .000 1 0 0 0 0 May 31 Indiana State *a .000 1 0 0 0 0 Jun 3 Miami * .000 1 P 0 0 0 2 2 Jun 7 Oklahoma State *b .000 1 0 0 0 0 Jun 8 Miami *a .000 1 0 0 0 0 Jun 9 Arizona *a .000 1 0 0 2 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .000 30 16 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 3 5 1987 Date Opponent BAT AVG GP GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB HBP SO SF SH SB ATT PO A E ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feb 17 Samford * .000 1 P 0 0 0 2 Feb 22 Louisiana State * .000 1 P 0 0 0 4 1 Feb 28 Southern Mississippi * .000 1 P 0 0 0 1 Mar 8 South Florida * .000 1 P 0 0 0 1 Mar 12 South Florida * .000 1 P 0 0 Mar 16 UNC-Charlotte * .000 1 P 0 0 0 1 Mar 21 Southern Mississippi * .000 1 P 0 0 2 1 Mar 24 Central Florida * .000 1 P 0 0 0 1 1 Mar 28 Memphis State * .000 1 P 0 0 0 0 Mar 28 Memphis State 2a .000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Apr 1 Georgia Tech * .000 1 P 0 0 0 2 Apr 10 Miami * .000 1 P 0 0 0 3 1 Apr 12 Miami *b .000 1 0 0 0 1 Apr 18 Memphis State * .000 1 P 0 0 1 2 Apr 25 Jacksonville * .000 1 P 0 0 0 2 May 1 Miami * .000 1 P 0 0 0 3 May 2 Miami 6a .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May 3 Miami *c .000 1 0 0 0 0 May 6 Florida * .000 1 P 0 0 0 1 May 8 Mercer 4a .000 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May 9 Mercer 9a .000 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 May 9 Mercer 3a .000 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 May 14 Virginia Tech *c .000 1 0 0 0 0 May 15 South Carolina * .250 1 P 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 May 16 Southern Mississippi 5a .200 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 May 22 Miami * .200 1 P 0 0 0 1 May 23 South Alabama 7b .200 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 May 29 Louisiana State * .200 1 P 0 0 0 2 1 Jun 3 Texas * .200 1 P 0 0 1 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .200 29 19 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 7 32 4 |
Pro Career |
Baseball | |
Height: 5-6 Weight: 175 Throws: Right Bats: Right Drafted: 1987, 2nd Round #44, Montreal Expos, P Debut: July 31, 1992 Year Abbr Team No Pos 1992 Bal Baltimore Orioles 55 P 1993 Flo Florida Marlins 26-24 P 1994 Flo Florida Marlins 24 P 1995 Flo Florida Marlins 24 P 1996 Det Detroit Tigers 43-51 P 1997 Oak Oakland Athletics 44-51 P " Cin Cincinnati Reds 58 P 1998 Bal Baltimore Orioles 38 P |
Pro Statistics |
Baseball |
Pitching Statistics Year Team ERA W L SV APP GS CG SHO IP R ER H 2B 3B HR BB SO AB Avg WP HBP BK SF SH --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1992 Bal 10.80 1 1 0 2 2 0 0 6.2 8 8 13 1 7 4 40 .394 0 0 0 1993 Flo 3.26 6 3 0 57 0 0 0 77.1 37 28 68 7 43 65 341 .229 9 1 1 1994 Flo 5.67 1 4 0 45 0 0 0 54.0 44 34 62 7 38 45 261 .279 10 1 1 1995 Flo 3.75 0 1 0 21 1 0 0 36.0 15 15 30 9 15 32 152 .221 1 1 2 1996 Det 4.18 4 6 2 72 0 0 0 90.1 45 42 78 9 65 78 412 .227 14 4 2 1997 Oak 9.64 2 0 0 14 0 0 0 18.2 21 20 24 7 15 12 94 .308 2 1 0 " Cin 6.35 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 5.2 5 4 4 3 3 4 25 .182 0 0 0 1998 Bal 15.43 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 4.2 8 8 8 2 5 4 25 .400 1 0 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 Years 4.88 14 15 2 217 4 0 0 293.1 183 159 287 0 0 45 191 244 1350 .249 37 8 6 0 0 |
Batting Statistics Year Team AVG GP GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO GDP OB% SF SH SB ATT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1992 Bal .000 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 1993 Flo .500 57 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 .500 0 0 1 0 .500 0 1 0 0 1994 Flo .000 45 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1 0 1 0 .167 0 0 0 0 1995 Flo .000 21 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 1 0 1 0 .500 0 0 0 0 1996 Det .000 72 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 1997 Oak .000 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 " Cin 1.000 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1.000 0 0 0 0 1.000 0 0 0 0 1998 Bal .000 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 0 0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 Years .200 217 4 10 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 .200 2 0 3 0 .333 0 1 0 0 |
Fielding Statistics Year Team Pos GP PO Ast E DP Fld% ------------------------------------------ 1992 Bal P 2 1 1 0 0 1.000 1993 Flo P 57 3 13 1 1 .941 1994 Flo P 45 6 5 2 1 .846 1995 Flo P 21 7 2 2 0 .818 1996 Det P 72 4 6 0 1 1.000 1997 Oak P 14 0 3 0 0 1.000 1997 Cin P 4 0 1 1 0 .500 1998 Bal P 2 1 0 0 0 1.000 ------------------------------------------ 7 Years 217 22 31 6 3 .898 |