Carl’s nickname, Swats, was a play on his surname rather than an indication of his long-ball prowess, although he belted 132 homers in his final four minor league seasons. A career ML reserve, he enjoyed his best season with the Cardinals in 1961, when he hit .299 with 10 HRs and 10 pinch hits. He was the Cardinal catcher on September 23, 1962 when Maury Wills stole his 97th base of the season, breaking Ty Cobb‘s modern mark.
Sawatski became president of the Texas League in 1976, following eight years as GM of that league’s Arkansas franchise,
