Bill Swift
Encyclopedia
William Charles Swift (born October 27, 1961 in Portland, Maine
) is a former Major League Baseball
right-handed pitcher
.
After graduating South Portland High School
, Swift attended the University of Maine
. Swift pitched for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was a first-round draft pick (second selection) by the Seattle Mariners
following his senior year at Maine. In 1991 he was traded to the San Francisco Giants
along with pitchers Mike Jackson and Dave Burba
for outfielder Kevin Mitchell and pitcher Mike Remlinger
. The Giants immediately moved Swift from the bullpen to the starting rotation, where he emerged as one of the league's best pitchers, leading the league with a 2.08 ERA in 1992 and winning 21 games in 1993.
Between 1995 and 1997 he played for the Colorado Rockies
. While the Rockies had high hopes for Swift, he struggled with back pains and the thin air of Colorado, and never again put up numbers comparable to his days with the Giants. He was eventually released by the Rockies due to shoulder trouble and triceps tightness.
In 1998, Swift returned to the Seattle Mariners. He struggled, posting an 11-9 record with a 5.85 ERA and 1.62 WHIP. After the season, he retired from baseball.
On December 22, 1999, USA Today
named Bill Swift as one of Maine's best athletes of the 20th century.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/century1.htm
Bill Swift now coaches High School Baseball for his daughters' school, Scottsdale Christian Academy
in Phoenix, AZ.
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
.
After graduating South Portland High School
South Portland High School
South Portland High School is a secondary school located in South Portland, Maine. It started in what is now Mahoney Middle school and was moved to its current campus. The School is waiting on plans for a new school, since budget was voted down in 2007. The citizens approved a renovation in a 2010...
, Swift attended the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
. Swift pitched for the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and was a first-round draft pick (second selection) by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
following his senior year at Maine. In 1991 he was traded to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
along with pitchers Mike Jackson and Dave Burba
Dave Burba
David Allen Burba is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers from 1990 to 2004. In his 15-year major league career, Burba's record was 115-87, with 1,398 strikeouts,...
for outfielder Kevin Mitchell and pitcher Mike Remlinger
Mike Remlinger
Michael John Remlinger is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Remlinger has played with the San Francisco Giants , New York Mets , Cincinnati Reds , Atlanta Braves , Chicago Cubs , and the Boston Red Sox...
. The Giants immediately moved Swift from the bullpen to the starting rotation, where he emerged as one of the league's best pitchers, leading the league with a 2.08 ERA in 1992 and winning 21 games in 1993.
Between 1995 and 1997 he played for the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. While the Rockies had high hopes for Swift, he struggled with back pains and the thin air of Colorado, and never again put up numbers comparable to his days with the Giants. He was eventually released by the Rockies due to shoulder trouble and triceps tightness.
In 1998, Swift returned to the Seattle Mariners. He struggled, posting an 11-9 record with a 5.85 ERA and 1.62 WHIP. After the season, he retired from baseball.
On December 22, 1999, USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
named Bill Swift as one of Maine's best athletes of the 20th century.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/century1.htm
Bill Swift now coaches High School Baseball for his daughters' school, Scottsdale Christian Academy
Scottsdale Christian Academy
Scottsdale Christian Academy. The education levels range from preschool to 12th grade. Scottsdale Christian Academy is a non-denominational Christian school , and is accredited by the North Central Accreditation Association as a College Preparatory.Over 95% of Scottsdale Christian Academy graduates...
in Phoenix, AZ.