Karl Swanson

Karl Edward Swanson

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 155 lb.
• School Augustana College (IL)
• Debut August 12, 1928
• Final Game May 5, 1929
• Born December 17, 1900 in North Henderson, IL USA
• Died April 3, 2002 in Rock Island, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Karl Swanson, who had 24 games in the big leagues, was one of the longest-living major leaguers. He lived to be 101. Born in North Henderson, IL, a small town in northwestern Illinois, he also went to high school in that town. He attended college at Augustana College, about 40 miles from North Henderson. Through 2019, he is the only major leaguer to come from Augustana College.

His minor league career lasted 13 seasons; he played in the middle of the country rather than near either coast. He began his professional career with the Cedar Rapids Bunnies and ended his pro career in the same place, with the Cedar Rapids Raiders.

He played second base with the Chicago White Sox. He was the same age as teammate and future Hall of Famer Ted Lyons.