Swift hopes to return in 6 weeks> Injury frustrates pitcher

Billy Swift knows his future is uncertain.

After all, the Colorado Rockies righthander and former University of Maine All-American has been on the disabled list seven times since being the runner-up to Atlanta’s Greg Maddux for the National League Cy Young Award in 1993.

Swift went 21-8 that year.

Swift, who has a career record of 78-62 and a 3.62 earned run average, said he will retire if the problems persist.

“I’m not going to keep going back and forth with this,” said Swift. “It’s not worth it.”

But following arthroscopic surgery by renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews last Thursday, Swift is cautiously optimistic about taking the mound later this season.

He said he could start throwing again within a month.

“There was some fraying and stuff and he cleaned it out. There was a lot of scar tissue. He shaved the bone down because there was some impingement in there,” said Swift, who had also undergone arthroscopic surgery last October. “He said the rotator cuff is stable and looks good. He said I should be OK.”

Swift is currently doing range-of-motion exercises and expects to begin lifting weights in a few weeks.

His third-place Rockies began the day one game out of first place in the National League West and he would like nothing better than to return for the stretch run.

“But if I can’t pitch this year, I want to be healthy for next year. I want to finish out this contract on a good note,” said Swift, who signed a three-year contract in excess of $13 million on April 8, 1995.

His wife, Michelle, said her husband has suffered more than his share of frustration.

“He’s the type of person who, when he’s been given something, he wants to perform for it,” said the former Michelle Kenney. “He wants to give everything he can to the Rockies and the fans.

Swift pitched in pain for most of the 1995 season and went 9-3 with a 4.94 earned run average to help the Rockies notch their first playoff berth in their three-year history. He has made just one appearance this year.

“It’s been tough. I’m not doing anything for the team. But that’s just the way it is. I can’t do anything about it,” said Swift, who turns 35 in October. “The players know that but I don’t think the media and the fans understand it.”