The Victoria HarbourCats now boast 31 years of Major League Baseball playing experience after the latest addition to their coaching staff.
The West Coast League team has hired former MLB pitcher, Greg Swindell, to its squad for the upcoming season.
Swindell played 17 years in the majors, spanning from 1986 to 2002. During that time, he played for multiple clubs including the Cleveland Indians and the Houston Astros and winning a World Series ring with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001.
Swindell — who will fill the role of bench coach — joins a HarbourCats coaching staff that features two others with MLB playing experience. Head coach, Todd Haney, spent five seasons in the pros while pitching coach, Mark Petkovsek, played for nine seasons.
Add those to Swindell’s incoming 17 seasons of playing experience and the club will be anchored by a total of 31 years of inside knowledge to pass on to the next generation.
“We’re overjoyed to see this coaching staff come together, and even more excited for our players and fans to see what this group can do in terms of development and results,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner and GM of the HarbourCats. “Our players are very fortunate this has all come together for us. Greg will have a lot to offer to all sides of the game, not just pitching, but clearly our pitchers have access to a wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Haney’s connection with his staff goes back several years as, according to the HarbourCats, the trio of MLB players-turned-coaches all played college baseball together for the Texas Longhorns.
“I joked we may need a translator with all the Texas drawl we’ll hear in our dugout,” said Swanson.
The HarbourCats, in their first season with Haney at the helm, came within one game of winning the 2019 West Coast League championship. The squad’s 39 wins during the 2019 season stands as the third-highest total in league history, according to the HarbourCats.
The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but, with the West Coast League having every intention of returning to play for the 2021 season this summer, Haney is hoping Swindell can help the HarbourCats get over the hump.
“I’ve talked to Greg about this for a few years, and he was in Victoria before (with wife Sarah) on a cruise ship stop, so he knows what a great city it is,” said Haney. “The timing is right for him now, and we’re glad to have him. We all know what it takes to prepare and be successful in this game, to the highest level.”
Swindell – who has been inducted into both the College Baseball Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame – has shown enthusiasm for moving to Victoria, a city that previously made a good impression on him.
“I fell in love with Victoria very quickly, and a summer there in such great weather helping players strive for improvement, working with close friends who are accomplished professionals themselves, is something I really look forward to,” Swindell emphasized.
Barring any setbacks due to COVID-19, the Victoria HarbourCats are scheduled to tee-off their season in June.
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“We have not given up hope that there could be full crowds,” said Swanson. “Maybe masked full crowds, but it’s not out of the full realm yet that we could find a way to be in that position.”
Swanson’s optimism comes from baseball being a sport that is played outside, where transmission of COVID-19 is less likely. With vaccines being administered across the country, he hopes the situation has improved by summer.
Regardless of whether it’s a masked crowd or one that’s physically distanced, Swanson says the team is ready for anything.
“We’ll make adjustments as they come,” he said. “Not unlike playing sports, you adjust to the game as it comes.”
Until then, Swanson added, the team will plan for a full season.
Graham Cox
Jasmine Bala
