A Hit Of A Crossover Athlete
Typically, a crossover athlete in the open water refers to a pool swimmer who also competes in the open water or an open water swimmer who also competes in triathlon. But the International Swimming Hall of Fame reported one of the most prolific and best baseball players of all time was Mike Schmidt, considered by many as the best third baseman in Major League Baseball history, was also a swimming crossover athlete.
A shoo-in for the Baseball Hall of Fame for his career where he was a 12-time All-Star with 10 Gold Glove awards, 8 homerun titles and a World Series MVP, Mike was a competitive swimmer, diver and lifeguard at a club owned by his grandfather.
Despite his family ties to the Phillips Aquatic Club in Dayton, Ohio, Mike made the right switch when he hung up his suit and goggles for a ball and bat.
Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff.
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