Edmonton, April 7 -- Jackrabbits faithful are up in arms over the horrid start of the team's #1 starter, Amos Swallows, and have taken to protesting at games with double entendre laden invectives that riff on his unusual last name.
This follows a terrible spring training in which Swallows notched a 1-3 record in five starts, with a 9.77 era. "Not what you'd expect from a supposed ace," mumbled other teammates privately.
Other fans took to holding up with the signs with such clever, subtle messages as "Swallows Sucks" and "Swallows Blows." Team ushers tried taking the signs away, but several fans objected and fisticuffs ensued.
For his part, Swallows took the high road. "There's no more passionate fans in the Brewster than those right here in Edmonton," he told the assembled scribes after the first start of the season. "I understand their frustration. I have been wretched."
This comes just two seasons after Swallows lead the Brewster in wins with 18, delivering a 2.88 era that helped lead the team to the league championships. It was last season that Swallows began a downward trend, with a 4.32 era and a 12-14 record. "He's only 24," noted one veteran. "Let's hope this back sliding is temporary. He's too young to be washed up."
Swallows' non-ace starts so far in ST and the opener.
