Former Bear Swindle Gets Called Up To Phillies
Published on July 2, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, N.J. - Former Newark Bears pitcher R.J. Swindle was called up to the Major Leagues by the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
Swindle pitched in nine games for the Newark Bears at the start of the 2007 season, allowing just two earned runs in nine and a third innings. The lefty struck out nine batters and was quickly signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on May 26, 2007.
It took Swindle just over a year to reach the majors from within the Phillies' system. He started his climb with the single-A Lakewood Blueclaws, where he posted a miniscule 0.93 earned run average in 29 innings pitched. He was then promoted to the advanced-A affiliate Clearwater where he finished the season with the Threshers of the Florida State League.
After an impressive spring training, Swindle started the 2008 season at double-A Reading, where he continued to dominate. In 16 and two-thirds innings, Swindle allowed just one run and continued his ascent towards the majors with a promotion to triple-A Lehigh Valley.
With the Iron Pigs, Swindle continued to baffle the competition with a 1.93 earned run average in 23 and a third innings, striking out 32 batters in the process. The success of Swindle at all levels of competition for the Phillies earned him the callup to Philadelphia.
"This is an extremely proud day for R.J., the Newark Bears organization, and the Atlantic League," Newark Bears Assistant General Manager of Baseball Operations Jim Cerny said. "R.J. is extremely well-deserving of this opportunity and we are very happy to play a small part in helping him achieve his goal of reaching the major leagues."
Swindle is the ninth player from the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball to reach the major leagues without any prior major league experience, and the second in Newark Bears history. The other player is current Bear Bobby Hill, who played in Newark in 2000 before playing in the majors from 2002 to 2005.
The Newark Bears play their home games at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium, conveniently located off of Route 280, across the street from the Newark-Broad Street train station, and just minutes from Route 78 and the New Jersey Turnpike. For ticket information, please call 1-866-55-4BEAR or visit the Bears' website www.newarkbears.com.
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