Bakersfield College alumnus and Texas Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis threw out the first pitch at the Renegades’ Feb. 18 game against San Diego Mesa College.
Lewis, one of the most successful baseball players to come out of BC, said that he takes pride in supporting the BC baseball program.
“It’s definitely a pleasure to come back here and continue to support these guys and be a part of the program,” Lewis said. “That’s really all I want to do.”
Lewis’ success on the mound has garnered him two American League pennants with the Rangers. He was a major piece for both of the Texas teams that competed in the World Series in 2010 and 2011, winning two games.
Lewis, in 2010, was the first pitcher in Texas Ranger history to win a postseason game when he defeated the New York Yankees on Oct. 16 in the American League Championship Series.
He also won game six of that series, pitching eight innings with one earned run on three hits, clinching the AL pennant.
Lewis’ journey to Major League Baseball, that includes graduating from North High School, has brought about some barriers, and he credits BC coach Tim Painton with getting him through a major one.
Lewis was unable to pitch during his senior year of high school, but he found a home at BC the next year.
“I was coming off of surgery … and coach Painton gave me the opportunity to come up here and pitch,” he said.
Lewis said that Painton put education first for him, and that was a major reason for his success at BC and after he moved on to the majors.
“[Painton] works really hard to get everybody to conitnue to go to school,” he said. “And that’s all I really wanted to do. I was fortunate enough to throw hard and get drafted.”
Lewis said that he tries to stay humble about his success, especially when coming out to support the Renegades, which he plans to do for as long as he can.
“When I retire I’m going to continue to come here and watch them and continue to support them,” he said. “That stuff (success) comes and goes, and I just love coming out here and supporting these guys.”