Bob Swift, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Bob Swift

American baseball player and coach

Date of Birth: 06-Mar-1915

Place of Birth: Salina, Kansas, United States

Date of Death: 17-Oct-1966

Profession: baseball player

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Robert Virgil Swift (March 6, 1915 – October 17, 1966) was an American professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout.
He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, standing 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall and weighing 180 pounds (82 kg).
He threw and batted right-handed. Swift is pictured in one of the most famous photographs in American sporting history.
He was the catcher for the Detroit Tigers on August 19, 1951, when St.
Louis Browns owner Bill Veeck sent midget Eddie Gaedel to pinch hit during an actual MLB game.
The stunt was inspired by the James Thurber short story You Could Look It Up and Gaedel was allowed to bat when the Browns showed the umpires a legitimate baseball contract.
Swift knelt on the ground to receive pitcher Bob Cain's offerings—it is this kneeling stance that is captured in the photo—and Gaedel took a base on balls.
He was immediately replaced at first base by a pinch runner and he never appeared in a big league game again; he had had no baseball experience in the first place.