Agate Type: Adventures in Baseball Archeology

charlie luis

Written by

Gary Ashwill

Reader Robert Klevens, who specializes in Japanese baseball cards, has sent in some information about “Charlie Lewis,” an early American player in Japan mentioned in this post.  I didn’t think “Lewis” was a Negro Leaguer, as I couldn’t find reference to anyone remotely like him in Riley or other sources; and Robert confirms this. 

Robert, who has been in touch with the player’s daughter, reports that his name was actually Charlie Luis (not “Lewis”), that he was Portuguese (or Portuguese American, I’m assuming), and that he was from Hawaii.  According to Robert, “He played AA ball in Hawaii with the Honolulu Braves prior to going to Japan and playing with the Mainichi Orions in the early 1950s.”

Thanks to Robert.  If anyone else has additional or better information about anything I talk about here, let me know!

6 responses

  1. Kevin Avatar
    Kevin

    Charles J. Luis also played for Salt Lake City of the Pioneer League in 1947 and Bisbee-Douglas of the Arizona-Texas League in 1948. I’d guess that he may have been a WWII veteran.

    Reply
  2. Mischa Gelman Avatar
    Mischa Gelman

    Luis was a Pacific League All-Star and Best Nine both years in Japan, hitting .277/.336/.438. In 1955, he led the PL in doubles. He also set a PL record for catchers in a season (22) one year. For full stats, check out http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/foreignbattingKai-Lyttle.html
    That site lists him as Lewis and from Missouri, FWIW.

    Reply
  3. Kevin Avatar
    Kevin

    I think the confusion about being from Missouri may be because he went to St. Louis High School – the one in Hawaii, NOT St. Louis University High School in Missouri.

    Reply
  4. Gary Ashwill Avatar
    Gary Ashwill

    Kevin, thanks–that might be the explanation for the “Missouri” birthplace.

    Reply
  5. Mischa Gelman Avatar
    Mischa Gelman

    I wrote up a Luis bio at http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Charlie_Luis
    Kevin, if you have anything more to add from your contact with the family, please do so.

    Reply
  6. Michelle Luis Arrieta Avatar
    Michelle Luis Arrieta

    I’m Charlie Luis’ daughter. My Dad was from Hawaii and was Portuguese-American. He is a graduate of St. Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii and played in the minor leagues mentioned above. He played pro ball in Japan with the Mainichi Orions and toured with the 1955 Yankees while they were toured Japan. If you need any other facts about him, Let me know.

    Reply

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