A swingman is an athlete capable of playing multiple positions in their sport.
Basketball
In
basketball, the term "swingman" (a.k.a. "
wing" or "
guard-forward") denotes a player who can play both the
shooting guard (2) and
small forward (3) positions, and in essence
swing between the positions.
[S. Trnini and D. Dizdar, System of the Performance Evaluation Criteria Weighted per Positions in the Basketball Game, 2000]
Examples include:
-
NBA players: Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Jimmy Butler, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Eddie Jones, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton, LeBron James, Danny Green, Kevin Durant and Evan Turner
-
WNBA players: Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Tamika Catchings, Angel McCoughtry, Kahleah Copper, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, DeWanna Bonner, Rhyne Howard and Rickea Jackson.
Baseball
In
baseball, a swingman is a
pitcher who can work either as a
relief pitcher or as a
starting pitcher.
To thrive in this role, pitchers must possess the stamina of a starter as well as the flexibility to work out of the
bullpen.
It may be difficult for swingmen to settle into the same type of routine as pitchers used exclusively in one role.
History
In 19th century baseball, since the vast majority of games were finished by the starting pitcher, the swingman role did not exist. In the early 1900s, as the percentage of
fell, relief appearances became more common, and swingmen began to appear. Early examples included star pitchers such as
Mordecai Brown and
Ed Walsh (both in the Baseball Hall of Fame) as well as pioneers of the relief role such as
Doc Crandall and
Firpo Marberry.
Through the 1930s, teams continued to use their best pitchers as both starters and relievers. Dizzy Dean, Lefty Grove, and (to a lesser extent) Carl Hubbell were all used as swingmen during this era.
During this era, pitchers may be deployed as swingmen early in their careers to ease their transition to the major leagues, move to a permanent starting role once they are deemed ready, and transition back to a swingman/bullpen role as they decline with age, a career arc exemplified by Rudy May.
Other sports
Australian football
In Australian rules football, a swingman is typically a player who can play both in attack and in defence, usually as a key position player. Examples include Harry Taylor, Ryan Schoenmakers,
Ben Reid and
Jarryd Roughead.
Ice hockey
In
ice hockey, a swingman is a player that could play both
defenceman and forward, such as
Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks,
Dustin Byfuglien of the
Winnipeg Jets, Brendan Smith of the New York Rangers and Calder Cup Champion
Paul Bissonnette.
See also
External links
