“‘The only reason I came out here tonight is to pay tribute to the best football team Notre Dame has played this year – Lombard College.’ At the conclusion of the season the Notre Dame players chose Evar Swanson and Rody Lamb of Lombard for their All-Opponent squad.” ~ Knute Rockne, Famed Notre Dame Football Coach
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You may find this hard to believe, but I’ve collected baseball cards (football, basketball, hockey, and other miscellaneous genre cards) since I was a kid. I’m not sure if my collection is worth any money (I do have the Topps Lew Alcindor / Kareem Abdul-Jabber rookie card, which I understand would bring in some serious cash IF I ever decided to part with it) on the open market, but I know it is a priceless treasure trove of memories and source of enjoyment for me.
My oldest card is a 1933 Goudey card, #195, Evar Swanson. It’s creased in the middle, so I doubt if it would bring a huge offer. Even in great condition I’ve seen it going for $66, which isn’t enough to retire on for sure. I’m not even sure why I bought it from a friend, but something told me there was a story there. He was a Chicago White Sox outfielder, but it just seemed like there was more. Call it a gut feeling. Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t see him play, nor was it really a name with which I was familiar.
(Front and back of the Goudey Gum Company Evar Swanson Baseball Card #195. From the Author’s private collection. Excuse the shadow on the card, it occurred when I photographed it.)
Ernest Evar Swanson was born in DeKalb, Illinois on October 15, 1902, and died July 17, 1973, in Galesburg, Illinois which was my father-in-law, Gene Shea’s hometown. Neither he, nor his brother Jim, both big baseball fans, ever mentioned him, not in passing or the Galesburg connection that I recall. Both are now deceased.
Swanson according to his baseball card was 5’9 and weighed 170lbs. He batted and threw right-handed. He made his MLB debut on April 18, 1929, and his last appearance was on September 30, 1934. He played for the Cincinnati Reds (1929-1930) and the Chicago White Sox (1932-1934). Evar had a career batting average of .303, 7 home runs and 170 runs batted in. Not terrible, but not spectacular either.
It was noted that he was one of the fastest players of his time. He ran in a contest between a double-header in September of 1929 and circled the bases either in 13.3 or 13.4 (depending on which source you read) seconds. That’s hauling serious butt and is still the record. The next September he ran again at a minor league field in Columbus, Ohio in 13.2 seconds, so he holds the minor league record as well.
Prior to his baseball career, he was a running back in the NFL for the Rock Island Independents, Milwaukee Badgers, and the Chicago Cardinals from 1924 to 1927. His baseball card said he earned 16 letters at Lombard College in Illinois. He starred in baseball, football (he never played in high school), basketball and track. Apparently while at Lombard, they played Notre Dame and from the Rockne quote, he must have been an outstanding back.
There isn’t much of a biography on Swanson. There is mention of some arm and shoulder issues that moved him from being a pitcher to the outfield. He played some minor league baseball as well as with some semi-pro teams.
After his playing days, he lived in Galesburg, Illinois which was the hometown of his wife the former Sara Willits. They had two sons Courtney and David. Swanson was involved with starting the little league program there. He worked for the post-office and was named postmaster in 1958 and served in that capacity until 1972. He died from a heart condition in 1973 at the age of 70.
I wish I had known some of this information years ago, as Jim Shea, my father-in-law’s brother, was a letter carrier in Galesburg and had a branch named for him after his retirement, The James D. Shea Branch #88 – NALC (National Association of Letter Carriers), 1640 N. Henderson Street, Suite A, Galesburg, Illinois, 61401. I’m sure he would have had some stories. If I ever uncover any, rest assured I will share them with you. Or if any of you are aware of any other details of his life, please contact me. Until then, his card holds a special place in my collection.
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~ Coach Mike
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This is such a great story ‼️ He was so talented 🤗 I hope you get more information about him and his stats🙏 He seemed like such a special man from what you already gathered💯
Thanks for another interesting post! You certainly have a lot of great stories of known and unknown players! Keep up your good work! Love your posts!