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ATHENS, Ohio—The Ohio baseball team is celebrating former Major League Baseball catcher Steve Swisher by honoring his number, three. 
 
"This is not just an award to me," said Swisher. "This is a great honor." 
 
The Parkersburg, West Virginia native was a member of the 1970 College World Series team and was a part of two MAC Championship-winning teams. He earned First-Team All-MAC honors three times and was named All-District IV/All-Mideast Region in 1973. Swisher finished his collegiate career with 18 home runs, 96 RBIs, a .596 slugging percentage and 82 runs scored. 
 
Swisher was the Chicago White Sox's 1973 first-round draft pick. After getting traded to the Chicago Cubs, he made his MLB debut in 1974 and was ultimately named the National League All-Rookie Team Catcher. In 1976, he represented the Cubs at the All-Star Game. Swisher played for the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres before retiring in 1983.
 
"Steve is an integral part of Ohio baseball history," said Director of Athletics Julie Cromer. "We look forward to celebrating his contributions to our program and to the sport of baseball in a way that not only honors Steve, but also provides a visible reminder to current and future Bobcats of what they can achieve beyond their collegiate careers."
 
From 1985-88, Swisher was a manager in the Cleveland Indians' farm system before he joined the New York Mets' organization in 1989. He managed the Jackson Mets, Binghamton Mets and Tidewater Tide before returning to the big leagues as a member of the Mets' coaching staff from 1994-96. 
 
Swisher was the general manager of the Frontier League's Ohio Valley Redcoats from 1997-98. He returned to West Virginia in 1999 to work as the Special Assistant to Governor Cecil H. Underwood.
 
In 2004, Swisher joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a minor league manager before he opened his own business—the School of Dreams Baseball Academy.  
 
Swisher and his son, Nick, are one of eight father/son duos where both were first round draft picks, played in the majors and represented their team at the MLB All-Star game. 
 
"Steve bleeds green and white and is very passionate about Ohio University and what opportunities it provided to him. To this day, he continues to be invested and supportive of our program," said head coach Craig Moore. "All the accolades that he earned through his collegiate and professional careers makes Steve very deserving of this recognition. We are looking forward to the ceremony this fall with him and his family and former teammates."
 
The baseball team will celebrate Swisher on Saturday, October 22 at Bob Wren Stadium as well as recognize him during the football game against Northern Illinois that same day.  Times are to be determined.  
 
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