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Written by Linda Beradelli
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Monday, 11 August 2008 |
 The players change every year, but for anyone who has been to Brooklyn's KeySpan Park to watch the Single-A Cyclones, one thing remains a constant; stands full of fans. Since the club's inaugural season, the relationship between the boisterous and loyal fanbase and the players they root for has always been strong. On any given day you can see folks, young and old, swarming behind the Cyclones’ dugout pleading for autographs.
For seven seasons, the eager players have obliged. Some have even gone far beyond just signing autographs, and have developed real and lasting relationships with the Brooklyn faithful. Perhaps that's why former Cyclones like Mike Jacobs (Marlins), Lenny DiNardo (Red Sox) and Scott Kazmir (Rays), accorded almost-Hall Of Fame status when their names are mentioned to them.
Based on the way pitcher Chris Schwinden is signing every bat, ball, hat and program that is thrown at him, you might have to add another name to that list soon.
“You want to get on their good side and I try hard to do that anyway I can,” said Schwinden.
It isn’t easy to play in Brooklyn. The fans come out in record numbers and expect the best while the media gathers around waiting for the next big story. All of this can be extremely intimidating for a player fresh out of college.
“Brooklyn is a great experience and the fans treat me well,” the right-handed pitcher said. “It is a great atmosphere here, I love it. I enjoy playing for (Brooklyn manager Edgar) Alfonzo also. He is a good guy and he knows a lot about baseball. He is a man who wants to win and I respect that.”
Besides the fans treating him well, the Coney Island air seems to agree with Schwinden as well. In 35 1-3 innings, mainly as a relief pitcher for the ‘Clones, he has a 1.02 ERA with 40 strikeouts and just six walks.
 Schwinden (left, photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Cyclones), says he like to try and emulate Curt Schilling who he feels is the best pitcher he has seen play the game. It is a high bar to set for himself but the 21-year-old Fresno, California resident seems to be ready for the challenge.
In college he had a 6-1 record with a 2.48 ERA for Fresno Pacific University, allowing 63 hits, striking out a scholl-record 96 and walking just 22 batters over 90 and 2-3 innings, another record for the school. In 2008, he was named the Golden State Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, and his specil year was capped after he was drafted by the New York Mets in the 22nd round this year.
“Draft day was kind of shocking for me,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d go as high as I did. I watched the computer all day and I saw that my friend got drafted right before me and while I was talking to him we saw my name come up next. It was really cool we got to celebrate together.”
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