OF Nick Swisher (All Star, World Series Champion)

[Buckskin86]

Yankees' Swisher bashing ball in Nick of time
Yankees Blog
By MARK HALE
August 28, 2011

BALTIMORE -- Nick Swisher's recent hitting surge almost certainly has ensured that the Yankees will be exercising his $10.25 million option for next season. It also might put the right fielder in position to help atone for his previous postseason struggles.

Swisher slammed a 412-foot home run on Friday night at Camden Yards, giving him four homers and seven RBIs in his last four games.

Since he took the field on May 27 with a season-low .204 average, Swisher has been raking. He's batting .302 (85-for-281) in his last 79 games with 17 homers, 55 RBIs and a .417 on-base percentage. For the season, Swisher is hitting .268 with 19 homers, 74 RBIs and a career-high .383 on-base percentage.

Barring something unforeseen, the Yankees almost certainly will bring Swisher back. At the very least, they could pick up the option and use him as an asset for a trade.

"Obviously I think everybody knows how I feel about [the Yankees]. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Swisher said. "But that's kind of a decision that you really can't think of it. You've kind of got to live in the day. When that comes up, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Exercising the option would mean Swisher, who will turn 31 in November, has to wait another year before he can earn a big free-agent contract. It also may be tougher for him to get major dollars after 2012 -- at that point Swisher will be 32 years old.

"It's been a long road," he said. "But either way, I feel confident. Just trying to go out there and play like a little kid. Just trying to have as much fun as I can. Because I've said this before, I feel like when I'm having fun and I'm being like a kid, I'm playing my best. I think that's what's happening right now."

Over his two Yankees postseasons, Swisher batted .128 (6-for-47) with one homer in 2009 and .176 (6-for-34) with two homers last year. Those performances have stuck with him.

"Oh, for sure," he said. "I feel like we've got ourselves in a good spot right now and we've got to finish it up and make sure we get there. But now being through it two times with this team, it's crazy because everyone kind of ups their game a little bit in the playoffs. But I'll be ready."

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yank..._just_in_Qw7tLBj607JNzbtE80TQ2N#ixzz1WKRZpeg1

 

[Buckskin86]

Elliot (Philly)


How do the Yankees view Swisher? I'm a big believer in clubhouse chemistry, and all that good stuff, but has the point has come where that's outweighed by the consistent struggles in the clutch. Do you think they pick up his opt? If not, what do you think they do?
Wallace Matthews
(12:04 PM)


Interesting question with no easy answer. Swisher is viewed by the organization as a productive regular season hitter and serviceable -to- better outfielder, but his lack of October production is a concern especially since it has happened repeatedly throughout his career. As far as a clubhouse presence, his act may not be as popular among all teammates as you might think. Pick up the option? a tough call. Cashman loves him., but he will do what he thinks is right for the team, and if someone who he thinks is better becomes available for the $10.25M the Yankees owe swisher, or less, he will move him. Michael Cuddyer, maybe? Right now, my gut says they pick up the option, but that can change quickly

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/40848/yanks-with-wally-matthews

 

[Buckskin86]

New York Yankees Exercise 2012 Options on Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher
By Ray Monell, Yahoo! Contributor Network

The New York Yankees have exercised the 2012 options on the contracts of second baseman Robinson Cano and right fielder Nick Swisher, the team announced Saturday.

Next season, Cano and Swisher are set to make $14 and $10.25 million, respectively.

This season, Cano, who won the 2011 Home Run Derby in Phoenix, hit .302 with 28 home runs and 118 runs batted in.

Cano is a three-time all-star, has won one Gold Glove Award and is a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Swisher, a 2010 AL All-Star, hit .260 with 23 homers and drove in 85 runs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-10322961

 

[Buckskin86]

October 30, 2011
Swisher "couldn?t be happier" to be back with Yanks

BY Mark Feinsand

The Yankees made it official on Saturday night, picking up the 2012 options on both Nick Swisher and Robinson Cano.

Cano?s $14 million option was a no-brainer, as the second baseman has emerged as a perennial MVP candidate and the best hitter on the team.

Swisher?s $10.25 million option also seemed to be a no-brainer, though there had been reports this week that the Yankees were considering the idea of not bringing him back and going in a different direction in right field.

Swisher was thrilled after hearing the news Saturday night.

?This is my favorite thing to do in the world and my favorite place to do it,? Swisher told the Daily News from his home in Los Angeles. ?To have another year in pinstripes, I "couldn?t be happier.?

The main debate over Swisher?s spot with the Yankees is his postseason performance, which hasn?t been at the same level as his regular-season numbers.

In three full seasons in New York, Swisher has hit .267 with a .368 on-base percentage, averaging 27 home runs and 85 RBI. In 28 postseason games with the Yankees, Swisher is hitting .160 with four home runs and five RBI over 100 at-bats.

?Everyone?s always going to have their opinion,? Swisher said. ?I just have to go out there and do my best. That?s all I can do. I?m not a negative guy. I don?t dwell on negative things. I know that I want to keep getting better year in and year out. People are going to say what they say.?

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/2011/10/swisher-couldn’t-be-happier-to-be-back-with-yanks

 

[osugrad21]

Scout Free--Swisher Gives Back To Ohio State

Nick was ecstatic as Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium was formally dedicated.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Scout Free--Swisher Gives Back To Ohio State

Nick was ecstatic as Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium was formally dedicated.

Awesome...way to go Nick!

 

[Buckskin86]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXDcRg4NN04"]Nick Swisher Interview with Adam Neft on 97.1 The Fan - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Tonyank]

His wife is soo hot.

 

[Buckskin86]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sol3zCvGgg"]Nick Swisher Interview - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Yankees' Swisher not concerned about playoff woes, uncertain future
Yankees Blog
By DAN MARTIN
November 20, 2011

The Yankees picked up Nick Swisher?s option for next season, but there?s no guarantee the right fielder will remain in The Bronx even though general manager Brian Cashman has said repeatedly he likes the team?s lineup.

Swisher plans on being back with the Yankees for at least one more season and doesn?t put much stock in his playoff struggles.

?I don?t ever look that far ahead,? Swisher said yesterday. ?I know what I bring to the table. We just have to see what happens.?

As for his postseason woes, which continued in the ALDS against the Tigers, when he went 4-for-19 (.211) to actually raise his career playoff average to .169, Swisher brushed those off.

WireImage
KEEP ME: Nick Swisher, in town yesterday to promote a new CD for his charity, said he wants to return to The Bronx next season.

?I don?t worry about that stuff,? said Swisher, whose October silence at the plate, combined with similar performances of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, helped doom the Yankees. ?It was like 15 at-bats. I don?t ever think about that.?

And he said he doesn?t think there is any correlation to the fact he has followed three solid regular seasons with equally subpar playoff statistics.

?Nope,? Swisher said. ?It?s all good.?

Swisher, who was at J&R Music World downtown to promote his album ?Believe,? which will raise money for Swish?s Wishes, his charity for sick children, said he would like to stay in pinstripes.

?I think everybody in the Yankees organization and here in New York knows how excited I am and how Iucky I feel to be here,? Swisher said. ?We?ll just see what happens after this year. That?s the fun part: You never know what?s going to happen.?

Despite his somewhat uncertain future, Swisher said he feels he?ll be prepared for any added pressure.

?I don?t think of it [as pressure],? Swisher said. ?I?ve dealt with a lot of those adversities this year. I feel I?m going to learn a lot from all that stuff.

cont...

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/staying_time_2eCi0HG6920E2tqt3eo2EL#ixzz1eFkRU9eJ

 

[Buckskin86]

Swisher, wife visit troops on ?honeymoon?
Joanna Garcia, Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher and his wife, actress Joanna Garcia, visited troops on Thanksgiving.
NEW YORK POST
Updated Nov 26, 2011


LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan

Yankee outfielder Nick Swisher traded in his pinstripes for camouflaged body armor when he and his new wife headed to Afghanistan over Thanksgiving.

Swisher and actress JoAnna Garcia, a star of ABC's "Better Without You," visited US troops at Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar province, marking their first trip together since they married in December 2010.

"My life has been changed by the amazing troops I met in Germany & Afghanistan,'' the star slugger tweeted Friday. "Thank you for your sacrifice & for keeping us safe.''

Speaking to the New York Post in August at the Yankees Unite for Tornado Relief event in New York, Swisher said, "Three military officers came to the Yankee locker room and asked if any of us would like to visit the troops. My hand went straight up; I said, 'I'm in.' I knew Joanna would want to go. It will be our first trip since we got married."

"I come from a military family ... and no matter what your views are, these men and women are out there risking everything for us. I realize how fortunate I have been, so I like to give back at every opportunity I can," he added.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/...it-troops-during-Afghanistan-honeymoon-112611

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S3a7MzAUS0"]NY Yankee Nick Swisher with Joanna Garcia USO visit Afghanistan, Thanksgiving 2011 - YouTube[/ame]

 

[leroyjenkins]

What a great ambassador for our university!

 

[Buckskin86]

Yankees' Nick Swisher and wife, actress JoAnna Garcia, spend their honeymoon and Thanksgiving with the troops in Afghanistan
THE END ZONE: Swisher uplifts U.S. soldiers fighting in war-torn country
BY Mark Feinsand
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Originally Published: Saturday, December 3 2011

Nick Swisher (abover l.) and wife actress JoAnn Garcia toured Afghanistan last month, spending their honeymoon and Thanksgiving, meeting troops,

Many notable people make their way through the Yankees? clubhouse throughout the course of a season, from A-list Hollywood entertainers to influential political figures.

Most of them saunter through the room with wide eyes, shaking some hands, posing for a photo or two while collecting autographs from their favorite players.

When The Honorable Dr. Joseph Westphal, Under Secretary of the U.S. Army, made a visit to Yankee Stadium last summer, he wasn?t looking for memorabilia.

He was looking for recruits.

?Dr. Westphal and his team came to Yankee Stadium and asked everybody on the team who wanted to go visit our troops in Afghanistan,? Nick Swisher recalls. ?I raised my hand immediately and said, ?And I?m bringing my wife, too!??

That?s how Swisher and his wife, actress JoAnna Garcia Swisher, wound up in Kandahar for a Thanksgiving honeymoon.

cont...

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...ps-afghanistan-article-1.986328#ixzz1fZf8znim

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khrna2Ld_ss"]Nick Swisher Honored At The Horseshoe - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: February 26, 2012, 6:03 PM ET
Nick Swisher likely to be free agent
By Wallace Matthews
ESPNNewYork.com

TAMPA, Fla. -- The New York Yankees free spirit right fielder expects to be a free-agent right fielder at the end of this season.

More On The Yankees

Want to get the scoop on everything in pinstripes? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog

Nick Swisher, in the final year of a three-year contract with the Yankees, said Sunday he will not seek to negotiate a new contract during the 2012 season and expects to test the free agent market next winter.

"The Yankees aren't traditionally an organization that does do multiyears in the middle of a contract," Swisher said before the morning workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "They are a team that you're going to have to test the free-agent market. You're going to have to because that's how the Yankees work."

The Yankees generally do not negotiate during the season but they have, however, discussed contract extensions with several players, including Alex Rodriguez in 2007 and just this week, catcher Russell Martin.

As reported by ESPNNewYork.com's Andrew Marchand, the Yankees approached Martin about a three-year deal this winter, but after some conversation between Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Martin's agent, Matt Colleran, decided to shelve the talks until after the season. Martin will play this season on a one-year deal worth $7.5 million.

Swisher said he would not instruct his agent, Dan Lozano, to contact the Yankees about a possible contract extension during the season.

"That's not my style, man. I don't force the issue," he said. "I just go and play the game and I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. That's kind of one of those things that I'm really going to keep in that back corner and not really worry about that until I have to."

The Yankees picked up Swisher's $10.5 million option this winter after a 2011 season in which he started slowly but finished well, batting .260 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs. His on-base percentage (.374) was the highest of any Yankee regular.

cont...

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/sto...swisher-new-york-yankees-seek-contract-season

 

[Buckskin86]

Slimmed-down Nick Swisher works hard to remain with Yankees
Published: Monday, February 27, 2012
By Marc Carig/The Star-Ledger

TAMPA, Fla. ? Before his first salute to the Bleacher Creatures, before his Twitter following climbed past 1 million, before he won his first World Series championship, Nick Swisher had already fallen in love with being a member of the Yankees.

In the straight-laced clubhouse, Swisher carved out a comfortable niche, one he would rather not leave.

?I wish I could write in a book and script it out,? he said Sunday. ?I?d be here for the rest of my career.?

That decision lies mostly in the hands of the Yankees. But Swisher can play a part. A free agent at season?s end, a strong campaign could turn his script into reality.

?I know I?m going to go out there and bust my (butt), do everything I can to make that decision real difficult,? he said.

The pressure of playing in a walk year will be new for the veteran.

Swisher, 31, has never dealt with looming free agency, choosing early in his career with the Oakland A?s to sign a five-year, $26.75 million contract, which included a club option for a sixth year. The contract bought out all of Swisher?s arbitration years and also his first two seasons of free agency, a concession that players often make in exchange for the stability of a long-term commitment.

cont...

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2012/02/slimmed_down_nick_swisher_work.html

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKetMJiuL24"]Yankees Baseball Daily: Swisher - YouTube[/ame]