Grimm & Swackhamer

July 26, 2004 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
New Jersey Cardinals News Release


Safe at home.

New Jersey Cardinal's players Wes Swackhamer and Casey Grimm know this first hand as they never thought they would be playing baseball in the state of New Jersey again.

Swackhamer and Grimm both hailing from nearby Morris County New Jersey, were taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the First Year Player Draft a year apart from each other and were assigned to the New Jersey Cardinals; the Short Season Class A minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Both players are thrilled with the fact they could play so close to where they grew up and now are showcasing there abilities for everyone to see.

"I was pumped. You spend summers away from home, and it was great to come back and play ball when all your friends can come see you play," said Grimm.

Each player grew up less than an hour away from Skylands Park, home of the New Jersey Cardinals.

Swackhamer, a 6'2 left handed outfielder grew up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey and attended Delbarton High School in Morristown. At Delbarton, the slugger was a standout in both baseball and football, winning State Championships in both sports as well as earning numerous accolades including 1st team all state in baseball and 1st all parochial in football his Senior year.

Grimm a 6 foot left handed hitting first basemen grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, and attended Seton Hall Prepatory in West Orange. His senior year he was named 3rd team All-Parochial in baseball.

Swackhamer and Grimm actually faced off against each other several times in high school including Grimm's senior year when Seton Hall Prep knocked off Delbarton in the state baseball playoffs. The following year, however Delbarton beat Seton Hall Prep in the state playoffs en route to a state title.

After high school, Swackhamer went on to play baseball at Tulane University for 3 years and was selected by the Cardinals in the 5th round of the 2004 First Year Player Draft draft.

Grimm played baseball for Seton Hall University and was selected in the 33rd round of the 2003 First Year Player Draft. He spent last season with the Cardinals and manager Tommy Shields was surprised when he heard that Grimm would be playing for this years team.

"I would like to see Casey up in Peoria. He's proven he can hit. One of the things holding him back is his defensive ability, but the most important tool is the bat and I'd like to see him up there, "said Shields.

Running into familiar faces at Cardinals home games is not uncommon for Grimm and Swackhamer.

"I've had everyone from little league coaches to high school friends to former baby sitters run into me at games," said Casey Grimm.

Added Swackhamer "My parents have been able to come to a few [games] already, and it seems almost every game I'm getting tickets for someone."

Midway through the season Grimm and Swackhamer are showing why the Cardinals took them in the draft.

Grimm is batting .250, with a .356 slugging percentage, and a .350 on base percentage. He is also second on the team in doubles (5), is second in RBI's (15), and is 3rd in hits (26).

Swackhamer who has only played 13 games through Thursday is batting .250, with a .322 slugging percentage, and a .276 on base percentage. He hit his first professional homerun this past Saturday.



New York-Penn League Stories from July 26, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central