Right-handed pitcher and Mariemont High School graduate Erik Swanson was recently signed to play baseball for the Texas Rangers in the American League.
Swanson played baseball and attended school at Iowa Western Community College, and his baseball team at Iowa Western recently won the National Championship in junior college Division I baseball. He just completed his second year and had to make the tough choice between accepting a scholarship to play baseball at the University of Pittsburgh and beginning his professional baseball career. After much discussion with his family, he decided to pursue professional baseball.
“I really can’t believe that my first real job is going to be playing baseball,” said Swanson. “It’s truly a dream come true. I’m still in shock.”
He heads out to Spokane, Washington later this week to play a short season with the Spokane Indians, a minor league baseball team that is the farm team of the Texas Rangers. After that season wraps up, he hopes to participate in the Instructional League, have time in the winter months to meet with nutritionists and other wellness and fitness experts and then begin spring training in February.
“After I graduated from high school, I thought baseball might be more of a hobby. I never dreamed I would make a career out of it. I went to college to pursue a different career path, but continued to work with a pitching coach and here I am,” said Swanson. “It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I’m excited to start a new chapter of my life and just work on constantly improving my pitching skills.”
Swanson attended Mariemont High School all four years and was coached in baseball by Joe Regruth, Tom Nerl and Mike Hanley.
“I could say so many positive things about my experiences at Mariemont High School, both on and off the field,” said Swanson. “I had the opportunity to learn from three great coaches and to play baseball with some of my best friends – what else could I ask for?”
Although originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Erik Swanson now calls Terrace Park home, where his parents, Cari and Jeff England, reside.