• Card series: Beginnings: 1880's
• City: Kansas City
• Team: Blues (WA)
• League: Western Association

Parke B. Swartzel (1865-1940) pitched for seven years in organized ball but only played one year at the major league level—for the Kansas City Cowboys in 1889. Swartzel won the team’s season-opener and their final game that year. All told he made 48 appearances, starting 47 games and completing 45. During this busy year, Swartzel allowed a league-high 481 hits, going 19-27 for a struggling team.

• Played for five minor league teams including the Lincoln Tree Planters of the Western League
• Also gave up a league high 21 home runs as one of the workhorses of the American Association