The ending wasn't how Erik Swanson would've wanted it, but all in all, the right-handed relief pitcher had a solid MLB career.
He called it quits this week, announcing his retirement in a post on Instagram.
Swanson wrote an awesome message with the post:
As I sit here trying to figure out where to even begin, typing this for what feels like the 100th time… The one word I keep coming back to is GRATEFUL!
I am so incredibly grateful for my family, my agents, my teammates, coaches, medical staff, clubhouse managers, and everyone else in between who made my life easier and my family’s life easier. That’s one of the amazing things about this game, there are so many hands involved behind the scenes that help make this whole thing tick.
I am so incredibly grateful that I have parents who always supported me, no matter what I needed or when I needed it. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I’m not sure they make words to describe how Grateful and appreciative I am of my wife (I’m going to try in a later post). She’s been there with me every step of the way, my ride or die!
This game took me to places I don’t think I could have ever guessed I’d be. It gave me cities to call home and people to call family. It’s incredible how many relationships this game has brought into my life. From lifelong friends up in Toronto and Winnipeg, to friends in big cities like Seattle and small towns like Hickory, NC, and all the other little stops In between. It’s pretty amazing how a simple game can bring so many amazing people into your world.
My time in this game was nothing short of amazing. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way and to all those who supported me.
You all have truly made this journey an unforgettable 12 years.
Swanson was originally an eighth-round pick by the Texas Rangers in the 2014 MLB Draft from Iowa Western Community College, having grown up in the Cincinnati area and attending Mariemont High School.
He was then moved to the Yankees as part of the Carlos Beltran trade, and then the Mariners as part of the James Paxton trade.
Swanson made his MLB debut for the Mariners in 2019.
He threw in 126 games for the Mariners, putting up a 4.13 ERA. That included a sterling 1.68 ERA in the 2022 season across 57 appearances that included 70 strikeouts in 53.2 innings pitched.
Swanson spent the 2023-2025 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. He had a 2.97 ERA in 69 appearances in 2023.
That dropped to 5.03 in 2024 and a rough nine runs allowed in just 5.1 innings in 2025.
Swanson's MLB career ended up featuring 246 outings, a 4.20 ERA and 281 strikeouts in 266 innings.
Now he moves on to the next chapter.
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