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Basebell set to honor Greg Swindell's No. 21
This is the second of four ceremonies this season to retire the jersey numbers of former UT greats.
April 16, 2009
Janice Lu, Texas Media Relations
During Friday's home game against Oklahoma, the No. 21 will be recognized again by The University of Texas -- this time in honor of Greg Swindell, one of the country's most dominant pitchers during his college tenure from 1984-1986.
The same number was previously retired in 1993 in honor of Texas great Roger Clemens.
Swindell's ceremony is the second of four this season to honor former Longhorn baseball players, including Brooks Kieschnick, Burt Hooton and Scott Bryant.
"I'm honored to be recognized for my accomplishments at The University of Texas," Swindell said. "I appreciate my name going on the wall more than the number because a lot of good players have also donned that number."
Swindell boasted a 43-8 record and a 1.92 ERA in 77 games, and has a career resume that could stake claim to the best ever for a collegiate pitcher.
After earning Baseball America's Freshman of the Year Award in 1984, Swindell followed up that accolade with his best season in 1985. As a sophomore, he posted a 19-2 record and 1.67 ERA to go along with 15 complete games, six shutouts and 204 strikeouts over 172 innings. Those numbers set single-season records for wins, innings, strikeouts, complete games and shutouts and earned him the National Player of the Year Award from the same outlet.
Today, Swindell's name is still found in the school and national record books. His 501 career strikeouts still rank atop Texas' extensive baseball history and his 14 career shutouts remain the NCAA Divison I record.
With such an illustrious legacy, Swindell points to others as the reason for his success.
"The credit needs to also go to all my teammates. The teams that I was on during my time at The University of Texas are a big reason why my name is up on the wall," Swindell said. "My numbers were good, yes, but the chemistry we had and the fact that we had fun doing what we were doing were the big reason why we did so well."
Swindell is also grateful to his coaches for trusting in him as their pitcher.
"A week before my freshman season started, two of our top pitchers got in a car accident and were unable to pitch. I started the first game of the season and didn't fare very well, but Coach (Cliff) Gustafson still stuck with me after that," Swindell said. "He put me out there when we played against Arizona State, the No. 1 team in the nation, and it all went up from there.
"Clint Thomas was probably one of the biggest reasons for my success. He called almost every game I pitched. He was always telling me things that I needed to work on and helped keep me on a level playing field."
After being selected second overall in the 1986 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Swindell embarked on a 17-year Major League career that ended in 2002. He earned a spot on the American League All-Star team in 1989 and helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series by making seven postseason relief appearances that season.
Swindell ended his professional career with 123 wins, 1,542 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA over 2,233 innings.
Even though it has been more than 20 years since he last donned a Texas uniform, Swindell still wears Texas close to his heart. Fans can sometimes find the UT legend in the stands.
"I love The University of Texas so I go to as many games as I can when I'm in Austin. I've been to every bowl game the past 10 years, a few basketball games, and to Omaha a few times," Swindell said. "I love what The University of Texas represents and that's why I keep following the teams."
Swindell, who is currently working as a postgame analyst with the Arizona Diamondbacks, will always remember his college years and opportunities.
"Just being a Longhorn has been my favorite memory. A lot of people wish they could put on a Texas uniform and represent The University of Texas," Swindell said. "Knowing that I had an amazing opportunity before me, I wanted to be the best I could."
This is the second of four ceremonies this season to retire the jersey numbers of former UT greats.
April 16, 2009
Janice Lu, Texas Media Relations
During Friday's home game against Oklahoma, the No. 21 will be recognized again by The University of Texas -- this time in honor of Greg Swindell, one of the country's most dominant pitchers during his college tenure from 1984-1986.
The same number was previously retired in 1993 in honor of Texas great Roger Clemens.
Swindell's ceremony is the second of four this season to honor former Longhorn baseball players, including Brooks Kieschnick, Burt Hooton and Scott Bryant.
"I'm honored to be recognized for my accomplishments at The University of Texas," Swindell said. "I appreciate my name going on the wall more than the number because a lot of good players have also donned that number."
Swindell boasted a 43-8 record and a 1.92 ERA in 77 games, and has a career resume that could stake claim to the best ever for a collegiate pitcher.
After earning Baseball America's Freshman of the Year Award in 1984, Swindell followed up that accolade with his best season in 1985. As a sophomore, he posted a 19-2 record and 1.67 ERA to go along with 15 complete games, six shutouts and 204 strikeouts over 172 innings. Those numbers set single-season records for wins, innings, strikeouts, complete games and shutouts and earned him the National Player of the Year Award from the same outlet.
Today, Swindell's name is still found in the school and national record books. His 501 career strikeouts still rank atop Texas' extensive baseball history and his 14 career shutouts remain the NCAA Divison I record.
With such an illustrious legacy, Swindell points to others as the reason for his success.
"The credit needs to also go to all my teammates. The teams that I was on during my time at The University of Texas are a big reason why my name is up on the wall," Swindell said. "My numbers were good, yes, but the chemistry we had and the fact that we had fun doing what we were doing were the big reason why we did so well."
Swindell is also grateful to his coaches for trusting in him as their pitcher.
"A week before my freshman season started, two of our top pitchers got in a car accident and were unable to pitch. I started the first game of the season and didn't fare very well, but Coach (Cliff) Gustafson still stuck with me after that," Swindell said. "He put me out there when we played against Arizona State, the No. 1 team in the nation, and it all went up from there.
"Clint Thomas was probably one of the biggest reasons for my success. He called almost every game I pitched. He was always telling me things that I needed to work on and helped keep me on a level playing field."
After being selected second overall in the 1986 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Swindell embarked on a 17-year Major League career that ended in 2002. He earned a spot on the American League All-Star team in 1989 and helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series by making seven postseason relief appearances that season.
Swindell ended his professional career with 123 wins, 1,542 strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA over 2,233 innings.
Even though it has been more than 20 years since he last donned a Texas uniform, Swindell still wears Texas close to his heart. Fans can sometimes find the UT legend in the stands.
"I love The University of Texas so I go to as many games as I can when I'm in Austin. I've been to every bowl game the past 10 years, a few basketball games, and to Omaha a few times," Swindell said. "I love what The University of Texas represents and that's why I keep following the teams."
Swindell, who is currently working as a postgame analyst with the Arizona Diamondbacks, will always remember his college years and opportunities.
"Just being a Longhorn has been my favorite memory. A lot of people wish they could put on a Texas uniform and represent The University of Texas," Swindell said. "Knowing that I had an amazing opportunity before me, I wanted to be the best I could."
