JAMES POPROWSKI

A Glen Lyon native who played professional baseball died December 21 at the age of 83. He was James "Dobry Jim" Swift Poprowski, 211 South Wilbur Street, South Scranton. He died in Scranton State General Hospital following an illness.

He played with Wilkes-Barre Barons, Elmira, Jersey City and St. Louis Browns.

Surviving are a son, William Swift, Lakeland, Fla., daughter Mrs. Frances Kennedy, Columbia, S. C.; brother, Walter, and sisters. Mrs. Alice Ptashinski and Mrs. Stella Kotecki, Glen Lyon; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at Scranton. Burial was in Forest Hills Cemetery, Scranton.

The Times Leader • Fri, Dec 29, 1967 • Page 3 • (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania)

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"Michael Poproski, of Glen Lyon, the young giant who took pity on the baseball writers and the baseball fans and shortened his name to Jim Swift, acted as pill dispenser for Wilkes-Barre and Jim was on to his job and performed in a style that caused the 1,615 paid fans and 161 1-2 deadheads to go into raptures of delight."

The Tribune • Thu, Jul 04, 1907 • Page 6 • (Scranton, Pennsylvania)

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"Dobra Jim's" Death —- A Sad Holiday Story

Death during any holiday, and doubly so the Yuletide, is depressing. That one so beloved as was "Dobra Jim"Swift should succumb to lengthy illness on Christmas eve, and be placed at rest unknown to those of us who revered the big. chunky left-handed pitcher from Glen Lyon, is incredible in this era of fast transmission. When news travels around the globe in a matter of seconds.

Yet it happened, in our town, and a couple of blocks from our workbench. Happened because at 82, the good-natured, humorous baseballer with a generous laugh akin to Santa's "Ho! Ho! Ho!" was a lonely, forgotten man, out of circulation in recent years.

Nothing which has transpired in the newspaper business has disturbed me more. If only someone had scooped me on "Dobra Jim". to permit few flowery passages and verbal bouquets, the pangs of conscience would have been less.

Perhaps an introduction to Jim Swift will clarify my conscience; make it better understood why at this late date, when the parade had passed, he should create so much profound regret, and a feeling of neglect on our part.

In my impressionable boyhood, when our idols wore athletic uniforms and performed valorous deeds, this man pitched in the historic New York State League, grandparent of the present Eastern loop. Swift got his opportunity with Wilkes-Barre, close to Glen Lyon, and went from there to Elmira where no baseball hero was more affectionately loved.

It was while the man they hailed as "Dobra Jim", because of his proud Polish ancestory, performed miracles for Elmira, even to pitching doubleheaders, that his wedding to the former Frances Allison was blessed by a, son, William, who years later was to pitch majestically for Pittsburgh, in the brilliant manner the NYSL managers, players and writers had predicted for "Dobra Jim.' There is some question whether Jim ever reached the majors.

The official encyclopedia fails to list him. Survivors of the golden era preceding World War I say Swift spent at least one season in the service of the St. Louis Browns. It matters little because "Dobra Jim" was a big leaguer in every possible manner.

Gentlemen, athlete, competitor, husband.

Written by Chic Feldman in his column "Hatchin' 'Em Out" for The Tribune • Fri, Jan 05, 1968 • Page 12 • (Scranton, Pennsylvania).