Schwartz goes out on his own

SFX Sports baseball agent David Schwartz has left the company to start his own practice, taking two clients with him — Chicago Cubs outfielder prospect Corey Patterson and Philadelphia Phillies catcher Johnny Estrada.

Schwartz had been working for Chicago-based Speakers of Sport, which was acquired by SFX in February 2000. SFX recently fired baseball agents Jim Bronner and Bob Gilhooley, who had been the majority owners of Speakers of Sport. SFX fired the two agents after they filed a $60 million lawsuit against the company, alleging that SFX omitted the fact that it planned to sell itself to Clear Channel Communications Inc. when it bought their firm.

It was not clear what, if any, connection Bronner's and Gilhooley's firing has with Schwartz's departure. Schwartz declined comment.

An SFX spokesman confirmed that Schwartz had left and took the two young players. The company had no other comment. Patterson made his major league debut last year and is considered one of baseball's budding stars. Estrada played his first major league game last month.