BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Western New York native will participate in Monday's MLB Home Run Derby in what is the second toughest role: Derby Pitcher.
Jon Schwind, who grew up about an hour away from Buffalo in Hilton, will take the hill on Monday night in Cleveland to feed pitches to Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell.
"We found out a few weeks ago before it was announced," Schwind told WBEN. "We weren't really able to tell people yet because it wasn't official. I've known Josh throughout my career and it kind of blossomed into a tight-knit friendship. We just continue to talk to each other all the time."
They both got hurt within weeks of one-another and wound up rehabbing together back in Bradenton. Schwind said during the time the two grew close by eating food together, playing video games, watching TV, talking baseball, and even learning about each other's families and backgrounds. With that close relationship, the two roomed together when they were both healthy again.
Years later and the two are still close. Bell, who lives in Texas during the offseason, and Schwind take turns each offseason visiting the opposite's home.
"Besides my brothers, he's the first contact I have when something is going well or if I need advice on something," Schwind said. "I'm probably similar to that for him."
Schwind's playing career has since ended due to injuries including a ruptured spleen which required an emergency surgery years ago. He spent some time coaching for SUNY Brockport baseball but returned to the Pirates organization as a coach in 2019. Bell, meanwhile, has become one of baseball's top hitters. He came in third place in the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year award and was named to his first All-Star game this season as the Pirates everyday first baseman.
"It's a really, really exciting time," Schwind said. "It's something I know he's worked really, really hard for. I'm really excited to see him on a big stage."
The two chatted more about strategy over the weekend on where they'd like the pitches to be, but Schwind said the two have grown to the point where they can communicate with one another without talking.
Believe it or not, Schwind isn't nervous about pitching on the big stage. He said he's more focused on helping Bell succeed on Monday. He said it's more nerve-wracking to face a pitcher than it is being on this stage.
Schwind's family is originally from the Lancaster and Depew area. He said he'd visit his grandparents' home often as a kid and he used to visit the Lancaster Parade every Fourth of July.
"I still remember seeing the fireworks and the little carnival they had on Main Street they had in Lancaster," he said. "There's a lot of memories there."