OF Nick Swisher (All Star, World Series Champion)

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New father Swisher donates to help all Cleveland kids
By Jordan Bastian and Mark Emery / MLB.com | 5/21/2013

CLEVELAND -- Nick Swisher is the new father of a baby girl. His concern, however, extends to all the children of Cleveland.

Swisher and his wife, JoAnna, welcomed a daughter to the world Wednesday, four days after it was announced that he donated $25,000 to the FBI Citizens Academy Foundation for the purchase of child identification kits.

Cleveland placed Swisher on the paternity leave list before Tuesday's game against Detroit, meaning he'll be out for one to three games. To replace him, the Indians recalled infielder Cord Phelps from Triple-A Columbus.

The new father said his (soon-to-be) role as a parent motivated his donation.

"Being involved with the Child ID program was a no-brainer for me," Swisher said in a press release. "Protecting and helping children is something that's just instinctive -- but now that I'm about to be a Dad for the first time, it takes on a whole new meaning. I am proud to be a part of this."

cont...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp...tebook_id=48193948&vkey=notebook_cle&c_id=cle

 

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Five Questions with ... Indians first baseman Nick Swisher

Nick Swisher celebrates pretty much anything that happens on the baseball field, and this week has something new to cherish off it. (Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)


Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
on May 25, 2013

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' cleanup hitter returned to the team Friday after a three-day paternity leave for his first child.

Q: How does it feel to be a father to a newborn baby girl?

A: It was the most amazing experience of my life, hands down. I think I'm going to have learn all sorts of new things. Some ballerina practice. Either way, Jo [JoAnna] and I are down for whatever.

Q: What have you thought of the team's performance to this point of the season?

A: It's a different attitude around here. It's different vibe. Sometimes that all you need, a different way of thinking about things. Just to see what our team has done right now, no one thought we'd be in the spot we're in right now.

Q: What have you thought about the lineup?

A: Everybody is slotting into their spot. What's really been impressive to me is how Michael Brantley has been bouncing up and down the lineup and producing in every spot we put him in. He's one of our best hitters on the squad and he's hitting in the bottom of the order.

But that just goes to show you, our seven-hole hitter [Mark Reynolds] has 40 RBI. It's been a great start to the season for us.

Q: Can this team avoid the slumps that have ruined good starts by the Indians in 2011 and 2012?

A: I think the one difference we have this year that they maybe didn't have inthe past is that we have guys who have been down this road before. We have guys who understand this is not a race to the All-Star break, this is a marathon to the end of the season.

I just don't feel this team is going to crumble. I've talked to a lot of Cleveland fans who say "This team is great in the first half." Well, this is 2013 and I guess we'll just have to find out.

Q: What have you thought of the starting rotation?

A: That's probably always going to be the question mark for us. I don't really question that. I think these guys have gone out and done a tremendous job and shut a lot of people up, which has been nice. But that's something that has to keep going. It can't stop right now.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/05/five_questions_with_indians_fi_4.html

 

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Aroldis' close pitch riles up Swisher, Indians

 

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Cleveland Indians Nick Swisher donates $25,000 to FBI for child ID kits
Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
May 30, 2013

Nick Swisher donates $25,000 to help track missing children.
Winslow Townson, Associated Press

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians first baseman Nick Swisher was honored by The FBI Citizens Academy Foundation before Thursday's game at Progressive Field for donating $25,000 for the purchase of child identification kits.

The kits include an inkless finger-printing card, a DNA collection envelope and a cutout wallet card. In case a child goes missing, the kit can be given to authorities to assist in locating the child.

"This starts with the commercial we did in spring training," said Swisher at Thursday's press conference. "I said I wasn't just going to come here and be part of the team. I was going to be part of community and get involved. That's what my wife and I are doing.

"When this opportunity came, especially on the heels of what happened in our own back yard with those three girls, for me it was pretty much a no brainer. To be able to protect our children, especially now that I have one of my own, I could not have been more honored or more happy to be part of this."

cont...

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/05/cleveland_indians_nick_swisher_2.html

 

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Swisher, Back in Bronx, Has No Hard Feelings, Bro
By TYLER KEPNER
Published: June 3, 2013

Uli Seit for The New York Times

Nick Swisher said it was ?super-exciting? to play in the Bronx as a member of the Indians. He was cheered before his first at-bat.

?Still raining?? he asked Monday afternoon, before peeking through the double doors leading to the visitors? dugout at Yankee Stadium. ?Awesome!?

Then Swisher bounded over to the indoor batting cage and waited to take his turn. Bounding pretty much describes everything Swisher does. He is like the family dog, tail wagging feverishly for things he sees every day.

?It?s super-exciting to be back here,? said Swisher, who left his pinstriped family and went home to Ohio last winter. He got $56 million for four years from Cleveland, and no real interest from the Yankees. No hard feelings, though.

?I couldn?t thank my boy Brian Cashman any more, man,? Swisher said. ?He helped me out a lot, man. Especially after that ?08 season, man.?

That is exactly what Swisher said, and it is still fun to quote the man directly, word for eager-to-please word. By unofficial count, he used ?man? 20 times in about six minutes with reporters on Monday, with ?bro? sprinkled in three times, not counting his personalized T-shirt, which read ?Bro-H-I-O? on the front and ??Sup Bro?? on the back.

?Playing against him, I just thought it was an act ? he?s smiling all the time,? the Indians? Mark Reynolds said. ?But being around him every day, he?s like that naturally, from when he wakes up in the morning. It?s positive energy; it?s good energy. It?s rubbed off on everyone in here.?

cont...

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/s...m-nick-swisher-has-no-hard-feelings.html?_r=0

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czwVMnmeec8"]SWISHER FATHERS Day - YouTube[/ame]

 

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Nick Swisher stays upbeat as Indians falter
Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports
June 9, 2013

DETROIT ? Cleveland Indians first baseman Nick Swisher walked gingerly to his locker Sunday afternoon, refusing to let his teammates see his frustration despite the distaste of another loss burning.

Swisher, one of the last players left in the clubhouse, conceded it has been rough. The Indians lost their seventh consecutive game Sunday, 4-1 to the Detroit Tigers, and are in a free fall, along with Swisher's batting average.

The Indians were in first place three weeks ago but have lost 15 of 19 since, and ? with a 5?-game deficit ? are closer to last place than to first. Swisher, who missed three of the games for the May 21 birth of his first child, Emme, found himself in an 0-for-26 drought until a sixth-inning single Sunday, meaning he wouldn't equal a career-worst 0-for-28 skein.

When he rounded first base, he broke into laughter, not a raw emotion for getting that elusive hit but the pride of knowing he survived.

Swisher had no outbursts during the slide. He didn't snap at news reporters. He didn't do as much as fling his helmet or fire his bat in disgust.

"I'm in a little different situation here than I have been in the past," Swisher softly told USA TODAY Sports. "I've got guys looking at me now. So I can't be that guy slamming (stuff) in the dugout.

"It's not always going to be pretty. You're going to get beat up in this game. But come on, man, why would I come to the ballpark with a bad look on my face? There's nothing to really bring me down from this high.

"Let's be honest. I've got the most amazing job in the world. I've got the most beautiful wife. I've got the most beautiful daughter. I've got all of the money I'll ever need. And now I'm supposed to get mad because I'm struggling at the plate?

"That's not me, bro."

cont...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...isher-stays-upbeat-as-indians-falter/2406923/

[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=sezcCw05uBc[/ame]

 

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Happy Father?s Day

Nick Swisher :: AP

With Father?s Day this Sunday, Hot Clicks spoke to Nick Swisher, new dad and star of this Dick?s Sporting Goods? Father?s Day video, about a variety of topics. Swisher?s wife, actress JoAnna Garcia, gave birth to the couples first child Emerson Jay Swisher, on May 21.

SI.com: How is fatherhood treating you?

Swisher: It?s been the greatest thing on the planet. She?s just so cute and it doesn?t matter what kind of day you had, when you get home and you get to see her, she?s just so excited to see you. It?s so great, man. Jo and I are having an absolute blast right now.

SI.com: What has been the biggest surprise about fatherhood?

Swisher: I never knew I could love something this much. She came out, and Jo and I were just so ecstatic and it?s such an emotional time. Obviously, for the first couple of months, we?re just trying to do everything we can to keep her entertained and make sure everything is alright with her. But the bonding me and Jo have had over having this baby has been great.

SI.com: Do you change diapers?

Swisher: Are you kidding? If you need a swaddle, I?m your man! You need a diaper change, I?m your man! I got it down.

SI.com: Any diaper-changing tips for the dads out there?

Swisher: The one thing I didn?t really understand is that when they?re newborn, like a week old, and they go No. 2, it doesn?t stink. But after that, it starts to change ? QUICKLY. That?s one thing I learned on the run.

SI.com: Do you sing to your daughter?

Swisher: For sure!

cont...

http://extramustard.si.com/2013/06/14/nick-swisher-talks-fatherhood-fathers-day/

 

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Nick Swisher's left shoulder could put him on disabled list for Cleveland Indians
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
June 16, 2013

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- First baseman Nick Swisher's left shoulder is hurting and could put him on the disabled list.

Swisher aggravated the shoulder in the fifth inning Saturday night during an at bat in the Indians' 7-6 loss to the Nationals.

"I'm grinding guys," said Swisher. "I want to be in there every day regardless of what I got going on. Obviously, it's starting to physically show a little bit."

Swisher missed time earlier in the season because of shoulder soreness.

"I've been battling this shoulder thing the whole year. It's super frustrating for me because I've never had something like this," he said. "Either way, we have to figure out what is going on and then we will go from there."

Swisher is in a 6-for-55 slump.

"I just don't feel I have the thump in my swing," he said. "Whatever decision we make tomorrow, we are going to go at it full on."

The Indians signed Swisher to a four-year $56 million deal in December. He has been on the disabled list just once in his big-league career.

"I took three or four days off to get it back, and I just kind of re-aggravated it," said Swisher. "It's just not going away. We're going to have to find a way to make it feel a little better."

After Saturday's game, manager Terry Francona said Swisher's shoulder is bothering him, but that he could play with it. The question is how much longer will that be?

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/06/nick_swishers_left_shoulder_co.html

 

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Indians notes: Nick Swisher back, and still scuffling
Filed on June 23, 2013 by Chris Assenheimer

CLEVELAND ? Nick Swisher returned to the lineup Sunday after a six-game absence, but his offensive struggles continued. The first baseman went 0-for-5 and grounded out to end the game as the tying run in a 5-3 loss to the Twins.

Swisher, who has been plagued by a sore left shoulder for much of the season, is batting just .231 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs over 62 games.

Swisher is in the first year of a four-year contract worth $56 million, and the injury, which could require surgery at the end of the season, will have to be monitored for the remainder of the year. He aggravated it during a swing, but it also affects his throwing motion.

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/06/23/indians-notes-swisher-back-and-still-scuffling/

 

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In the case of the Cleveland Indians' Nick Swisher, it took a state to bring a slugger home: Bill Livingston

Nick Swisher, shown in the dugout after scoring a run in Game 2 of the Indians doubleheader in Chicago, has been a difference-maker after returning to Ohio to play for the Tribe. (AP Photo, Paul Beaty)

By Bill Livingston, The Plain Dealer
July 01, 2013

CLEVELAND, Ohio - As has happened with millions of others, it began with a bat and a ball, a boy and a team.

"I was always a big Indians fan. In elementary school, if you got straight A's the last six weeks, you got to go to an Indians game for free. Even some guys who didn't get straight A's very often got straight A's then," the fan said.

The dark night of four decades of non-contention was about to fall. The kid didn't know that, however. Talk about a thousand points of light -- he had his favorites, boy.

He was a Vic Power guy way back when. Minnie Minoso too. And Del Crandall. Also Max Alvis. Then there was "Daddy Wags," Leon Wagner. And he can never forget the day when Luis Tiant gave up hits like a miser hands out tips, and his father caught a foul ball. "All the kids thought my dad was pretty cool," he said.

At times, the flame flickered, but it never died. When the Tribe won the 2007 Central Division penannt, after a tail-off of several years that followed the rip-roaring 1990s, he wore an Indians jersey to work. A subordinate in the office was a big Twins fan, and the Twins had owned the division for a while. The Tribe fan wanted the other guy to know those days had run their course.

The Indians were always his team, but the fan pulled for a few players from other teams, too. Nick Swisher, from Columbus, for one. He'd gotten to know "Swish," as he calls him, when they were at Ohio State at the same time.

"When he played at Ohio State he was a fiery guy who made a difference in the program. I kept track of him when he when he was with the A's, the White Sox and the Yankees," the fan said. "When I was in New York City, I went to one of the street vendors and bought my 'Swisher New York 33' T-shirt."

cont...

http://www.cleveland.com/livingston/index.ssf/2013/07/it_doesnt_take_a_villahe_it_ta.html

Nick Swisher would like to welcome you to ?Brohio?
Craig Calcaterra
Jul 1, 2013

Nick Swisher says ?bro? a lot. If you sit in section 117 at Progressive Field on Friday nights, you?re an official member of the state of ? Brohio. From the Cleveland Indians:

Fans interested in claiming their residency in ?Brohio? at Progressive Field now have the chance on Fridays in Section 117.

Nick Swisher and the Indians will include ?Brohio? shirts with the first 100 ticket purchases in Brohio ? Section 117 ? at remaining Friday night home games at Progressive Field. Pricing for the tickets will vary by game and tickets are available at www.indians.com/brohio.

Brohio.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/01/nick-swisher-would-like-to-welcome-you-to-brohio/

 

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7/6/2013 1
Cleveland Indians, U.S. Navy, National Baseball Hall of Fame announce nominees for Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
Five MLB players, including Cleveland's Nick Swisher, chosen as finalists for new award; will be honored before Sunday's game at Progressive Field

Five Major League Baseball players, including Cleveland Indians first baseman Nick Swisher, have been chosen as nominees for the inaugural Bob Feller Act of Valor Award and will be recognized before Sunday's Indians game at Progressive Field vs. Detroit.

The nominees are:

Nick Swisher, first baseman, Cleveland Indians
Justin Verlander, pitcher, Detroit Tigers
Cole Hamels, pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
Justin Morneau, first baseman, Minnesota Twins
Ross Detwiler, pitcher, Washington Nationals

cont...

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/ne...0706&content_id=52885064&vkey=pr_cle&c_id=cle

 

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Rob Oller commentary: Swisher a good dude bein? himself, bro
By Rob Oller
The Columbus Dispatch Thursday July 11, 2013

CLEVELAND ? I am Nick Swisher?s brother. So are you.

We also are his ?dude? and his ?man.? These connections become obvious after spending 15 minutes chatting with the Cleveland Indians first baseman, who is to a baseball clubhouse what Robin Williams is to stand-up comedy: always energized.

It is nearly impossible not to smile in Swisher?s presence. Within 10 seconds he becomes your buddy, dropping a ?Wuzzup, bro?? while offering his hand and, later, ?Nice rapping with you, brother,? as he launches up the dugout steps to greet young fans waiting to meet him on the field.

?Hey, what?s up, dudes?? he calls to the kids.

What?s up? Swisher is. On a team of mostly young players still learning the occasional ups and numerous downs of a 162-game season, the former Ohio State player is not so much the straw that stirs the drink as the super-caffeinated energy drink itself.

?He?s just a positive guy,? second baseman Jason Kipnis said.

cont...

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2013/07/11/swisher-a-good-dude-bein-himself-bro.html

 

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Swisher bumped up to No. 2 spot in batting order
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 7/22/2013

SEATTLE -- Indians manager Terry Francona has finally pulled the trigger on a lineup change that he has mulled for several weeks.

On Monday, Francona moved struggling first baseman Nick Swisher out of the cleanup spot and slid the switch-hitter up to the second slot in the order for the opener of a three-game series with the Mariners. Swisher, who has spent significant time in his career as the second hitter, was open to the change.

"We're just kind of switching it up a little bit and hopefully we're just going to roll out from here," Swisher said. "It's been a great year for us as a team in general. We want to just continue to keep that going. This might just be a quick change. This might be a change for the long term. Either way, man, I'm all for it."

Francona said before the game that he hoped the switch can get Swisher going again at the plate.

Through 82 games this season, Swisher has hit .238 with nine home runs and 31 RBI for the Indians, who signed him to a four-year, $56-million contract over the winter. Since June 1, Swisher had hit just .198 with a .584 OPS through 34 games for Cleveland, entering Monday.

cont...

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/ne...tebook_id=54395190&vkey=notebook_cle&c_id=cle

 

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Nick Swisher couldn't avoid pressure of big contract, but he's still bullish on Cleveland Indians

It's been an eventful -- if not entirely successful -- first summer in Cleveland for the Indians' Nick Swisher. (Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
July 26, 2013 3

CLE'S Premier Rec Center. Turn your resolutions into results! 216-802-3200
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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With big contracts comes big pressure, but Nick Swisher, he of 1,000-watt smile, off-the-charts optimism and can-do attitude, would certainly avoid such a trap.

From the moment he was introduced to Cleveland in January after officially signing the biggest free-agent deal in Indians' history, Swisher seemed like the happiest man in the world. He still does, but a four-year, $56 million deal can be a tough thing to lug in and out of the cleanup spot four or five times a night.

On Monday, manager Terry Francona officially moved Swisher from fourth to second in the lineup. It may last for a couple of weeks, it may last for the rest of the year.

"I'm one of those guys who puts a lot of pressure on themselves," said Swisher, regarding his contract. "You want to live up to that. You don't want to let anyone down. I think that was probably half my battle. I was worrying so much about that and I forgot about going out there and playing the game you love."

Swisher's best power year was 2006 with Oakland when he hit 35 homers and 95 RBI. He enters the Indians' three-game series against Texas Friday at Progressive Field hitting .242 (76-for-314) with 45 runs, 16 doubles, one triple, 10 homers, 32 RBI and a .741 OPS (slugging+on base percentage) in 85 games.

After 85 games last year with the Yankees, Swisher was hitting .258 (78-for-302) with 40 runs, 22 doubles, 14 homers, 54 RBI and a .812 OPS.

cont...

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/07/nick_swisher_couldnt_avoid_pre.html

 

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