Results tagged ‘ Nick Swisher ’
Nick Swisher’s Yankees Honeymoon Quickly Turns into Married Life
Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher was all smiles when the season began. He was ecstatic to be in New York, and the city was likewise elated to have him.
Swisher’s personality and youthful enthusiasm are infectious, and his playful antics added an uplifting dynamic to a once stale and businesslike clubhouse.
After a torrid start at the plate that made even Hell appear to have a cool and refreshing breeze, Swisher instantly became a fan favorite.
He engaged the fans with a genuine sense of interest and appreciation, and had an endearing “every man” quality about him.
Swisher was even given the opportunity to pitch an inning during the month of April, and his excitement and unyielding smile could have illuminated the stadium without the use of its light fixtures.
Smiles and laughs have quickly turned into expressions of doubt and concern, as Swisher has been nothing short of a disaster in the month of May.
In 22 May games, Swisher is hitting just 8-for-67 (.119) with 2 HR, 8 RBI, and 25 K. He has transformed into the same automatic out that made him expendable in Chicago during the offseason.
The discrepancy between home and away performance is even more startling.
In the undeniably “hitter-friendly” confines of Yankee Stadium, Swisher is just 8-for-65 (.123). He has produced just one of his nine home runs and three of his 27 runs batted in at home.
Unfortunately for “Swish,” the statistics don’t get any better from here.
In Yankee losses, he is hitting just .158, which helps to illustrate his inability to drive in key runs late in ball games.
Swish’s propensity to fail in clutch situations is further emphasized by his efforts in big games in general.
When playing against Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia–the two biggest divisional threats and defending World Series Champions–he is 3-for-37 (.081).
Swish is also just 4-for-18 against Tampa Bay, and went 2-for-14 during the magical four-game sweep of the Minnesota twins–which involved three walk-off victories he clearly played no role in.
He has officially been placed on Yankees life support after hitting into a seventh inning double play with the bases loaded of a 4-3 deficit last night. He is now 0-for-5 with the bases loaded this season.
The numbers speak very loudly for themselves, and there are many more to focus on if a horde of stats had not already been forced down your throats like baby food.
Perhaps Swish needed the presence of Xavier Nady to push him to succeed. Perhaps the worry of losing his job gave him the extra edge he needed to maximize his contributions.
Nady and Jorge Posada appear set to return within the next 1-2 weeks, so Swish better begin to heat up–or face being returned to a utility role on the roster.
Luckily for Swish, it appears that Nady will be relegated to a DH role during his first few weeks back in pinstripes, which will help to expand his “rejuvenation” time frame.
Fans have every reason to love him, and he still has helped to positively change the clubhouse and dugout atmosphere.
However…it is becoming more and more obvious as to why he is a career .242 hitter. We may never see another month as productive as April 2009 for Mr. Swisher.
Also Seen At: Heartbeat of the Bronx
The New York Yankees Awards Ceremony: April 2009
MVP of the Month:
He has already produced more clutch hits in enormous situations than anyone not named Melky Cabrera, and has silenced critics of his perceived offensive decline.
Pitcher of the Month:
Pettitte’s arm appears fresh and revitalized, and he could provide a huge lift in a division he historically dominates.
Hitter of the Month:
Swisher has stabilized the Yankees right field situation after Nady’s injury, as well as provided a much needed emotional spark on and off the field.
Rookie of the Month:
Melancon has helped to pull hands away from the bullpen panic button, and keeps hopes alive of the rebirth of a reliever in the mold of Joba Chamberlain. He throws hard, and more importantly, he throws with conviction. He has 3 IP, 1 H allowed, 2 K, 1 BB, and a .100 BAA.
Comeback Player of the Month:
Cano ended April hitting a robust .366, with 5 HR and 16 RBI. His defense has rapidly improved to Gold Glove levels, and he has displayed a more developed eye for pitch selection.
Rolaids Relief Man of the Month:
Following Brian Bruney’s last pre-DL appearance on April 21, Coke has pitched 4.1 scoreless AND hitless innings, lowering his ERA from 9.00 to 3.72. He picked up an important win on the month’s final day, and has limited the impact of Bruney’s injury.
Biggest Surprise:
Brett Gardner’s poor start, coupled with Xavier Nady’s injury, reopened the door for Cabrera in a Yankee uniform. He responded with a .327 AVG, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 11 R, and two game-winning hits. The success may not be sustainable, but Cabrera has been invaluable thus far.
Biggest Demise:
Wang failed so miserably that New York had to invent an injury just to figure out what is wrong between his ears. A recovery from last season’s foot injury could be contributing to the problem, but it also appears that he has lost all confidence in himself. His power sinker has become as flat as people once believed Earth to be.
The “Luis Sojo” Unsung Hero Award:
Molina may not produce gaudy numbers, but he may be the best backup catcher in all of baseball. Hitting .276 with 1 HR and 5 RBI, he has actually been a better offensive contributor than anticipated.
Molina’s defense, however, is what truly sets him apart. He was the league’s best backstop in throwing out runners in 2008, and has already caught 50 percent of attempting thieves this season. His importance is elevated due to long-term concerns about Jorge Posada’s surgically repaired throwing shoulder.
Honorable Mention: Jorge Posada’s Right Arm – Speaking of Posada, his shoulder has responded very well to the extensive rehab he put in during the offseason. Often maligned across MLB, Posada’s arm has thrown out 10 of 25 runners (40%) this year. He has added 3 HR, 14 RBI, .275 AVG, and .366 OBP; showing that he is still a premiere AL catcher.
A.J. Burnett Nearly Stung by Rays: No-Hitter Quickly Becomes Nail Biter
There was a quiet intensity surrounding A.J. Burnett before taking the mound on Tuesday night, and it was clear that it could develop into a special evening.
No one truly anticipated just how special it almost became in Tampa Bay.
Burnett vowed that he would pitch deep into his second start in pinstripes, almost going as far as to guarantee a night’s rest for his exhausted teammates in the bullpen.
Not only did Burnett follow through on that guarantee, he came just nine outs away from giving virtually his entire team a night off.
Armed with a 93-95 MPH fastball and knee-buckling curveball, Burnett added impeccable control in order to manipulate a potent Tampa Bay Rays lineup.
As innings quickly disappeared into the rearview mirror, a bright white zero remained on the scoreboard in the Rays’ hits column.
Burnett collected strikeout after strikeout with seemingly effortless velocity, and brought a mental approach to the mound which rivaled that of a perfectionist.
At one point during the game, Burnett was seen scolding himself for bouncing a curveball on a full count. He went as far as to call himself “stupid” for not relying on his two-seam fastball in that situation.
Aside from his electrifying stuff, Burnett brought an even more important asset to the starting rotation. It has not been witnessed in the Bronx since Roger Clemens left town with his tail between his legs.
Earlier in the game, Yankees OF Nick Swisher was buzzed up around his chin by a lively Matt Garza fastball.
As if Swisher’s subsequent home run was not enough payback, Burnett offered the same intimidating treatment to Rays superstar Evan Longoria.
The ability to fearlessly stand up for your teammates is a quality in a pitcher that earns immeasurable respect throughout the clubhouse.
Burnett carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, with the Yankees poised for a simplistic victory in a game exhibiting a playoff atmosphere.
After three consecutive singles by Rays hitters to begin the inning, however, Burnett was left wondering if he had lost the game along with his no-hitter.
This often happens to pitchers who lose no-hitters late in ball games.
Burnett was in an unbreakable rhythm throughout his performance, and exerted a confidence and conviction most athletes refer to as “the zone.”
Once a pitcher is shocked back to reality after allowing his first hit, he is forced to try to regain the focus he had just seconds earlier.
Burnett was now forced into the stretch for only the second time in the game, which helps to breed a pitcher’s sudden discomforts.
With runners on first and third and no outs, Burnett was given an early Christmas present by Pat Burrell.
Burrell was given a green light on a 3-0 fastball, and hit a lazy fly ball to right field. Though the out lead to the game’s tying run, it helped to calm Burnett’s nerves.
Five outs later, Burnett had finished off a masterful eight-inning pitching performance.
The Yankee offense resurrected itself in the latter innings, ensuring that a win could not escape Burnett for a second time.
The game ended in a 7-2 Yankees victory, and improved Burnett’s early season record to 2-0.
Though the final score looks convincing and uneventful, countless viewers began popping blood pressure medication at around 9:30 PM EST.
The Yankees have improved to .500 in the standings, and are right where they had hoped to be. They are staring eye-to-eye with Tampa Bay, and looking down at the Red Sox below them.
Surprisingly, the Yankees still lie in third place in the league’s toughest division behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles.
The Nick Swisher Chronicles: When A First Baseman is Your Best Reliever
The Yankees struggled through one of the worst beatdowns in recent memory at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Yankees Bench to Give Opponents Splinters All Season Long
Recent Yankee lineups have been packed with big names as tightly as a sardine can.
Whether intimidating or intimidated, it appeared that the name on the front of their baseball card was the driving force of the Bronx’s game plan.
During late-game situations, Joe Torre and Joe Girardi were unable to remove struggling stars from the lineup in favor of Miguel Cairo and Wilson Betemit.
The restrictions that the lineup provided caused the Yankees to lose many, if not most, of the chess matches between managers at the end of games.
Teams of the dynasty years were balanced offensively, and possessed consistency on the pitching staff that simply cannot be overvalued.
The lineup’s flexibility, however, was an integral part of the Yankees October successes.
Yankee benches of the past featured former superstars such as Darryl Strawberry and Cecil Fielder. It also included clutch role players like Luis Sojo, Chad Curtis, and Shane Spencer.
In 1996, even Hall of Fame 3B Wade Boggs came off the bench during a miraculous playoff run. The season of course ended with Boggs riding (a horse) off into the sunset with his first World Series ring.
The ability to mix and match a lineup to counteract an opposing manager’s pitching changes is vital in determining the outcome of a must-win game.
If Homer Bush and Red Sox OF Dave Roberts have taught us anything, it is that a pinch runner can help crown a victor as easily as a man wielding a bat.
During the 2004 ALCS, Roberts stole second base when everyone in the stadium knew he would try.
A line drive up the middle off of Mariano Rivera shifted the momentum of a lost series, and essentially sealed the fate of New York’s historic postseason collapse.
After years of bench players ending games with clean uniforms, it appears the Yankees have finally received the memo.
By adding skilled and versatile athletes into the equation, New York has given Girardi the tools necessary to utilize his National League pedigree.
Though part of a convincing loss at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Day, Nick Swisher pinch-hit for Cody Ransom with a one-run eighth inning deficit.
Within seconds, he was standing of second base with a ground rule double.
His relentless energy can provide an emotional lift down the road, and his power can help to throw a wrench in an opposing manager’s strategy.
Girardi can pinch-hit for Ransom at any point during the game as a result of another member of the bench’s contingent.
Backup infielder Ramiro Pena is without a doubt the most talented defensive player on the roster. While Ransom is an athletic and skilled 3B, Pena will ensure that defensive liability is of no concern after a lineup change is performed.
The same flexibility holds true in the event that Brett Gardner is removed in favor of a power option. On any given day, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Xavier Nady, or Swisher could be available off of the bench.
If Gardner is replaced, the Yankees still have CF Melky Cabrera waiting in their back pocket for defensive purposes. His superior arm will force 3B coaches to be more conservative on shallow fly balls.
On the other side of the coin, Gardner can pinch-run in the event that he is given a day off against a left-handed pitcher.
His electric speed can change the game in ways the Bronx has not seen since Rickey Henderson was patrolling the outfield.
In no way am I comparing Gardner’s offensive skill set to that of Henderson’s, but his pure foot speed can wreak havoc on the basepaths.
Much talk has been made about New York’s wealthy starting rotation and star-studded lineup. Their astronomical paychecks make them worthy obsessions.
However, the Yankees bench and newly discovered lineup flexibility should provide a useful dynamic in returning the team to the top of the American League.
Do not sleep on the Yankee role players…because they just might haunt your dreams.
Xavier Nady: Your 2009 Yankee RF? Or Simply Being Showcased?
According to Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, Xavier Nady has a leg up for the starting job in RF.
Coming as a surprise to many including myself, Girardi has appeared to have gone against his heart by not sticking with personal favorite Nick Swisher.
Instead, the Yankees brass decided to think in terms of July 31 as opposed to April 6.
Swisher is the more dynamic offensive player, possessing more power and the ability to hit successfully from both sides of the plate.
Defensively, Swisher has greater range and the tendency to get dirty to make an inning-changing play.
Nady is more than adequate as a defensive outfielder, but lacks the hard-nosed mindset to commit to sacrificing his body. He has always been perceived as a glider as opposed to a sprinter.
It is clear that 2008 was a season Swisher could not have cooked up even in his worst nightmares.
He managed to hit just .219, and seemed lost at the plate in his first year in Chicago. He generated just 69 RBIs and 21 doubles, the lowest such totals of his career.
However, Swisher still managed to post a higher American League OBP than Nady in 2008.
Nady had a .320 OBP in New York, as opposed to Swisher’s .332 OBP in Chicago. This is a telling stat considering the abnormally low batting average Swisher carried.
Nady was able to capitalize off of one superb half of baseball in Pittsburgh in order to skyrocket his worth.
The Yankees are now hoping he can do the same in the first half of 2009.
With Swisher under contract through the end of 2011, Nady is the expendable piece in a crowded Yankee OF puzzle.
If the Yankees are to receive solid trade value in return for Nady, he will have to play on a consistent basis.
By handing him the starting RF job before the end of spring training, they will hope to jumpstart his confidence heading into April.
The Yankees would have traded Nady months ago had the right opportunity presented itself.
However, the discounted prices teams received for Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, and Raul Ibanez severely crippled their chances of finding interested suitors.
A salary dump is always available, but GM Brian Cashman is in no hurry to give away a valuable player for nothing more than minor league journeyman.
If Nady is hitting .300 or above heading into July, teams will come calling in droves for his services. Cashman will be ready to listen, likely in search of ML-ready bullpen help for the stretch run.
Perhaps Girardi is making sure a lineup without Alex Rodriguez does not become left-hand dominant. Swisher has always generated much more power from the left side.
Ironically, Nady struggled last year against left-handed pitching. He hit only .262 against lefties in 2008, while his season average stood at .305.
If this trend continues, the Yankees may be left wondering what advantage Nady holds over Swisher.
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