1981 Topps Craig Swan

The front: Swan looks very relaxed, sleepy even, among the trees at spring training.

The back: Swan had a 0.50 ERA in 18 innings in the 1972 College World Series, tied for the all-time record with his teammate Jim Crawford that same season, as well as Minnesota’s Jerry Thomas in 1956. His one walk allowed tied for the fewest until Texas’s Roger Clemens walked none in 17.2 innings in 1983.

The player: Swan was the best pitcher on the awful Mets teams of the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1978 he led the National League with a 2.43 ERA, but only went 9-6 due to poor run support. From 1973 to 1984 he pitched in 231 games, 229 with the Mets and two in 1984 with the Angels, going 59-72 with a 3.74 ERA.

The man: In 1982 Swan became the first pitcher to come back from a rotator cuff tear, finishing second in Comeback Player of the Year honors. He credited his comeback to Rolfing therapy, a myo-fascial manipulation technique. After his playing career ended he began training at the Rolf Institute, and opened Greenwich Rolfing in Connecticut in 1987, a business which he still runs today.

My collection: I have 19 of his cards, from 1974 to 1984. I would be interested in trading for 1984 Topps Traded #116.