Kelly Swift

Kelly Jack Swift

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4", Weight 190 lb.

• Born May 6, 1920 in Elkin, NC USA
• Died April 5, 1965 in Durham, NC USA

BR Minors page

Biographical information

Kelly Swift pitched eleven seasons in the minor leagues, posting a record of 127-94.

After serving in the military during World War II, Swift was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics, playing in their chain through the 1951 season. Returning to his North Carolina home in 1952, he went 19-12 for the Elkin Blanketeers that year, while leading the North Carolina State League with a 2.31 ERA and 283 strikeouts. The Blanketeers folded after the season, and he moved on to the Marion Marauders in 1953. That summer, he went 30-7 with a 2.54 ERA and led the Tar Heel League in wins and strikeouts (321). In nearly sixty years since, no one has won 30 games in a minor league season.

Swift moved on to the Chicago White Sox chain in 1954. He returned to his home state and won 16 games for the Winston-Salem Red Birds in 1957 before ending his career with the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms the next year.

Related Sites

• The Invisible Fastball

Click on "discussion" above for a historical note from his daughter.