Baseball Victoria Hall of Fame Players: John Swanson

John Swanson was one of the best outfielders Australia has produced. As a centre fielder, he had the ability to cover huge amounts of ground, a strong arm and his judgment on fly balls was second to none.

John played in 11 Claxton Shield Series including 4 Australian Championships teams in 1968, 1972, 1973 and 1974. He won the Claxton Shield Batting Award in 1967 and 1968 and the Helms Award in 1968.

He was selected to the All-Australian Team on four occasions.  John was a foundation member of Australia’s first international sides playing in the Tri Nations Goodwill Series Manila 1969 and in South Korea 1971. He also played in the Japanese Friendship Series 1968, 1970, and 1972.

This was the period when Australia established its credentials to play at the international level. As a member of the Coburg Club, John played in Victorian A Grade Championship teams on 4 occasions - 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977-78.

He was voted Best A Grade Player in Victoria 1975 and Coburg’s MVP in 1969, 1971 and 1972. He was elected to the Baseball Victoria Team of the Century 1934 -2000 and he was inducted into the Baseball Australia Hall of Fame on 2005.