Dave Swartzbaugh

David Theodore Swartzbaugh

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• School Miami University
• High School Middletown (OH) High School
• Debut September 3, 1995
• Final Game April 22, 1997
• Born February 11, 1968 in Middletown, OH USA

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Biographical Information

Dave Swartzbaugh was used both as a starter and reliever in the minors, and saw success in both roles. For example, in 1991 with the Winston-Salem Spirits, he went 10-4 with a 1.83 ERA as a starter. As a reliever in 1995 with the Iowa Cubs, he went 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 30 relief appearances. In 1998, both starting and relieving, he went 14-5 for Iowa.

He was at Miami University at the same time as Tim Naehring.

He made his big league debut on September 3, 1995 at the age of 27 for the Chicago Cubs against the Atlanta Braves. He was perfect in the two-thirds of an inning that made up his debut. He did well in his first year in the majors, no matter how short it was: in 7 relief appearances, he did not give up a single earned run and struck out 5 in 7 1/3 innings.

Alas, that success did not carry over. The Cubs tried using him as a starter in 1996, and that experiment failed: in 6 games (5 starts), he posted a 6.38 ERA in 24 innings of work. He only struck out 13 while walking 14. The Cubs tried using him as a starter again in 1997, but that failed too. He went 0-1 in 8 innings of work, which totaled 2 games started. After his final major league game on April 22nd, Swartzbaugh stuck around in the minors until 1999.

Overall, Swartzbaugh went 0-3 in 39 1/3 innings of work with a 5.72 career ERA. He struck out 22 and walked 24. He was 0 for 10 at the plate.

Swartzbaugh was a teammate of Steve Trachsel for seven professional seasons, longer than any other teammate. He earned $153,500 in 1997. He wore two uniform numbers in his career: 36 in 1995 and 1996, and 38 in 1997.

At last check, Swartzbaugh lived in Troy, NY.