A sidearming fastball pitcher, Swift was successful his first five seasons with the Pirates, winning 70 games in the years 1932-36. Used mostly in relief his final six years, he won only 25 more. As a late-season Dodger pickup in 1941, he chipped in three victories and a save to help Brooklyn beat St. Louis for the NL pennant. (JK)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 1, 1933: Earl Grace and Arky Vaughan slug grand slams for the Pirates and Bill Swift coasts to a 10–0 win over the Phillies. » April 20, 1936: Pittsburgh's Gus Suhr belts a two-out homer in the 9th with two on off Roy Henshaw to give the Bucs a dramatic win over the Cubs, 9–8. Bill Swift picks up the win. » December 6, 1939: The Bees are busy clearing their pitching staff. Jim Turner goes to the Reds for 1B Les Scarsella and cash, while Johnny Lanning is sent to Pittsburgh for P Jim Tobin and cash. On December 8th, P Danny MacFaydan joins Tobin in a trade for P Bill Swift. » December 8, 1939: The Braves trade veteran Danny MacFayden to the Pirates for Bill Swift and cash.