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Murray & Lewis No Surprise

Murray & Lewis, No Surprise; from toddlers in the game to the minors, they were and are fun to watch play. Additionally, B J Murray is following a tradition in the game of baseball locally, in college, and pro. First, his Grand Father, Bertrum Sr., was a local pitching legend, winning the best pitcher honor five times in his career. Dad Bertrum Jr. played in college and was a local All-Star for years. Then there are brothers Brandon & Byron, who played college and pro baseball; Brandon also played in the college world series. 

As for Ian, his younger brother played T-Ball and had no real interest in the game. However, Ian had great coaches and teammates. 

Growing in the Game:

It was more exciting to watch these two kids play the game: new season, new leagues. Two kids who were happy to be playing the game were special, and most coaches wanted them on their teams. Although sometimes lost in the shuffle, their presence on the diamond grew. Moreover, I tried to steal B.J. a few times from the other league; he would smile, thinking my parents wouldn’t let that happen. However, one year after seeing BJ at the baseball nationals in street clothes, I asked him if he was hurt, to which he replied no! Hence, I tried to suit him up on the spot to play for my team, telling him that he could make any team in this country in his age bracket, and he smiled. 

Their Roads to the Minors Murray & Lewis No Surprise:
Murray & Lewis No Surprise

Ian Lewis at 2021 Don’t Blink HR Derby In Paradise. Photo 360 Designs & Images

Meanwhile, in front of family & friends, Ian Lewis signed the Marlins during the International signing 2019. Unfortunately, as a result of Covid, the 2020 Minor League Baseball season was canceled, and Ian did not start playing until the the2021 season.

Murray & Lewis No Surprise

B J Murray at 2021 Don’t Blink HR Derby In Paradise, Photo 360 Designs & Images.

B.J Murray Signed with the Cubs on July 24th, 2021, after He was drafted in round 15th, of the 2021 MLB Draft, out of the Florida Atlantic University. On August 9th, 2021, B.J is assigned to the ACL Cubs, 

2022 Fast starts: 

It is exciting to watch these two kids play the game: new season and new leagues. 

On April 8th, 2022, B.J was assigned to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and one month later, Ian is assigned to the Jupiter Hammerheads from FCL Marlins. 

Even so, as of June 5th, BJ Murray is hitting at a .333 clip, and Ian Lewis is hitting at a .338 clip. The excitement is building over their quick start to the 2022 season. Moreover, I expect a hit or two from these two kids every game. So far, I haven’t watched a live game of Ian; however, Murray’s games are on www.milb.tv. 

Also, both are switch hitters and can hit for average or power. So stay tuned as we follow these two exciting young players’ careers. 

2022 Home Runs swings enjoy:

Ian Home runs.

B.J Home runs. Don’t blink, or you will miss it.

 

Marlins hand out 2021 Minor League awards:

Florida Complex League MVP: INF Ian Lewis, 2nd from left. Photo by Christina De Nicola.

Enjoy and hit the like.

Jeffrey was born on April 29th, 1961, in Nassau, Bahamas to Rejoiner Ann Rolle and Jerome James Francis Etienne. Married to Andrea G. Rolle-Francis, they have two daughters; Janae Latoya Francis, a graduate of Allegany College of Maryland, and Jessica Lee Francis a graduate Potomac State College West Virginia University in Kyser West Virginia. Jeffrey was coaching the sport of baseball from 1980 at the age of 18 years old because he loved the sport as a kid. He started listening to the game over the radio out of Miami Florida in the late 60s and in the early 70s started playing the game locally in various local leagues right up to the premier senior league; a league where all of the current Bahamian minor leaguers played. In 1982, Jeffrey had an invite to a three day tryout with the New York Yankees in Hollywood Florida, which was an awesome experience that is lasting a life time memory for him. Jeffrey has been following the Bahamian baseball players in the minor leagues since 1999 with Angelo Burrows, but found greater interest with the signing of Antoan Richardson in 2005. He also writes a year end review on their play on his Facebook page, Baseball Bahamas, and he has a website with the same name. He has a great following and would love to expose the baseball players to a bigger worldwide audience. He has a good relationship with all the players because he personally coached most of them. His favorite MLB Team is the Detroit Tigers from 1969.

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