Jack Swift and the Invisible Fastball

[NovaScotian]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...55/1/index.htm

here is a dope article about North Carolina's own Jack Swift, a minor-league pitcher from the 40's and 50's, in this week's SI. czech it out.

[killerleft]

Great article, well worth the longish read!

Minor league baseball indeed had it's heroes. My dad told my brother and me stories that seemed too fantastic to be true. Rocket Ron Necciai pitched in Burlington (NC) for the Pirate organization in 1953, where he struck out 176 in 172 innings. But it was in 1952 that he recorded an extraordinary feat while playing for the Bristol Twins in the Appalachian League. He struck out 27 batters while tossing a no-hitter! Four reached base, and he struck out four in the ninth to end the game. Probably a bit tired, his next start was less wonderful - a two-hit shutout with a mere 24 strikeouts!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Necciai

I remember one (supposedly true) story where a dead man scored a run during a game (a following runner dragged him across home plate after the guy had a heart attack or stroke).

[cf-62]

Thanks for the great reading recommendation.

I always appreciate good stories that aren't necessarily mainstream.

[OldPhiKap]

Nothing, of course, compares to the incredible story of Sid Finch:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...9283/index.htm