Pop Swett
Encyclopedia
William Edward "Pop" Swett (April 16, 1870 – November 22, 1934) was a catcher
in Major League Baseball
in 1890.
Swett played baseball in California for the next few seasons. While with Stockton in 1893, he played so well The Sporting Life wrote that he was "without doubt one of the best catchers on the coast." Even though Swett was only 23 years old, the newspaper referred to him as "Pop Swett."
Swett played professional baseball as late as 1896. He died in San Francisco at the age of 64.
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
in 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...
in 1890.
Career
Swett was born in San Francisco, California. He started his professional baseball career in 1888, with the San Francisco Haverlys of the California League. Swett played there for a couple of seasons and then ventured east in 1890 to join the Boston Reds of the Players' League. As the second youngest player in the league, he was the team's backup catcher to Morgan Murphy. Swett batted .191 in 37 games. The Reds won the pennant. However, the Players' League folded after the season, and Swett returned to the west coast.Swett played baseball in California for the next few seasons. While with Stockton in 1893, he played so well The Sporting Life wrote that he was "without doubt one of the best catchers on the coast." Even though Swett was only 23 years old, the newspaper referred to him as "Pop Swett."
Swett played professional baseball as late as 1896. He died in San Francisco at the age of 64.