Big League Stew - MLB

Big League Stew

Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:25 pm EDT

Being Yanks' leader in smiles and laughs not cutting it for Swish

By 'Duk

All season, Yankees fans crowed on about Nick Swisher(notes), his great attitude and the overall sense of joie de vivre he brought to a traditionally stiff team.

And all season, knowing White Sox fans just nodded, smiled and said: "Just wait. His performance at the plate is going to end up driving you crazy and all that clubhouse joke won't be so cute." 

Well, it took a little bit longer than expected, but the levels of angst in The Bronx are finally approaching the levels that caused Chicago to ship Swisher away for almost nothing last offseason.

The tipping point came in Thursday's ALCS Game 5. With the bases loaded and the Yankees trailing by a run, Swisher quickly went 0-2, fought his way back to a full count, but could then only turn a fastball he was expecting into a measly popup off creaky Angels closer Brian Fuentes(notes).

The out ended the game and an 0-for-5 night for Swisher, a game that also included contributing the first and third outs to New York's six-run rally in the seventh. He has started all eight postseason games for the Yankees, but only has a line of .103/.212/.138 with one double and one RBI to show for it.

Swisher predictably took his place alongside Joe Girardi in Friday morning's whipping post with Steve Politi of the Newark Star-Ledger suggesting it's time for someone else to start:

"Everything has his limits, and now the manager should play somebody else — anybody else — to try a different look. Put in Brett Gardner(notes). He might not be an upgrade, but could he possibly be worse? ... It is just not happening for Swisher."

Thing is, there was a time when it was happening for Swisher in New York. His performance in April surpassed any of the big free agent signings and kept the offense together as Alex Rodriguez(notes) battled back from an injury. Heck, he even pitched when asked.

But those halcyon days now seem like ancient history for Swisher. I don't think I'm on board with a benching (Rob Neyer isn't, and as Politi's colleague Marc Carig points out, Brett Gardner and Jerry Hairston are not better options). It's much too late in the game to be  changing course on a guy who stood in right field 130 times this season.

But Swisher somehow has to find a way to start producing and stymy the reversal of popular opinion that White Sox fans knew was coming. Over the long run, the Yankees lineup looks like it can withstand an empty spot at the bottom.

But when you pull in on two or three games, the consequences are clearly much different. 

Related: Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, Brian Fuentes, Álex Rodríguez, 2009 postseason on the Stew, 2009 ALCS — Angels v. Yankees

digg delicious
more

68 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Sean L
    1. Posted by Sean L Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I guess one 6 run rally in a game wasn't enough to win.
    Usually it is.
    GO YANKS!
  2. Sean L
    2. Posted by Sean L Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I guess one 6 run rally in a game wasn't enough to win.
    Usually it is.
    GO YANKS!
  3. Duk
    3. Posted by 'Duk Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Feel better, J Ta?
  4. MattM
    4. Posted by MattM Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:47 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    lol at J ta the P being a jackass and getting his own edit wrong. Does it really matter which one he uses? There are usually some criticisms with his blogs, but you're just being an ass about one that's perfectly fine.
  5. P
    5. Posted by P Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Damn Yankees!!
    The South shall rise again...
  6. C C S
    6. Posted by C C S Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:06 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    LETS FACE IT!!!! Nick Swisser played well for the team during the season and surely produced well as well so there is no reason in the world to replace him now. It wasn't him that lost the game!! let me see,as much as i like Burnett,he didn't do that great.His team came back and got him runs and he still didn't come through. It seemed that he was in a trance or something...My Yankees will take care of business come Saturday and the celebration will commence...."""GO YANKEES""" Seeya Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
  7. havanaharry01
    7. Posted by havanaharry01 Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:22 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Swishers a bum.He was looking fastball,got an 88 MPH fastball over the outer part of the plate and tried to pull it into the left field bleachers.Trying for a GS and all he got was a popup.he should have gone with the pitch and taken it to the right side.
  8. Rob R
    8. Posted by Rob R Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:27 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    CCS: Just because someone had a good regular season doesn't mean it warrants them playing in the postseason. Swisher looks lost at the plate (though he did a great job running that count full)...but I'm not sure there's a much better option. At least Gardner gives you speed on the bases and in the outfield...it's just a matter of getting him on base. If they start Gardner, they can still pinch-hit Swisher when necessary since he's a switch-hitter, and pinch-run Guzman when necessary.
    In the bullpen, though...it's clear that Joba and Hughes aren't their usual selves, and that David Robertson is the hot hand. I know Hughes was REALLY good in the 8th inning this year, but Robertson should be the set-up guy at this point.
    It'll be interesting to see if Mathis (despite his .211 BA in the reg. season) keeps starting considering the way he's mashing.
  9. tom h
    9. Posted by tom h Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:28 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    i told you Yanks goin nowhere with Dick Sniffer hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  10. havanaharry01
    10. Posted by havanaharry01 Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:29 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This is MLB. What have you done for me lately?
  11. havanaharry01
    11. Posted by havanaharry01 Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:31 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Ignore the jerks Duk.Keep spankin' the Yanks when they need it.And boy do they need it!!
  12. William K
    12. Posted by William K Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:11 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Oh this is priceless reporting... "Down 0-2...he fought his way back to 3-2".
    What game were you watching? The Fuentes / Swisher deathmatch was like watching two nervous turtles fight over a pond rock. Neither one of 'em wanted to be there. Swish was ONLY going to get on by a walk -- and Fuentes was terrified of throwing a strike.
    Don't forget that with the bases loaded and two-outs, after one intentional pass, one real walk and then a hit batter, Swish nearly ended the game by swinging at the first pitch for that little foul dribbler down the 3b line.
    At the moment I bet he wished it was fair -- because all he wanted in the world was NOT TO BE THERE. High drama -- low talent. Both players.
  13. joe the plumber
    13. Posted by joe the plumber Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:21 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Congratulations on using a using a ridiculously small sample size to evaluate a player who put up roughly 4 WAR and a .375 wOBA on the season. Nick Swisher was the sixth most valuable Yankee on the season. What he did during the season is much more indicative of his future performance than a measly ~8 games in the postseason.
  14. TT
    14. Posted by TT Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:22 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Bench him, he isn't earning his hefty salary.
  15. Brett H
    15. Posted by Brett H Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:39 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    This is a no-brainer. The guy stinks right now. Bench 'em.
  16. Kevin C
    16. Posted by Kevin C Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:06 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Typical Yankee fans.... "WAAAAH WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH He is slumping a bit WAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH...."
    like when Jeter went 0-32 at the beginning of the season a couple of years ago, nearly every Yankee fan was complaining "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH HE'S NOT THE SAME ANYMORE, BENCH HIM! RELEASE HIM! WAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" then we he came out of the slump "I NEVER DOUBTED JETER! NOT ONE SECOND! BEST PLAYER EVEEEEEERRRRR!"
    Ughk with a side of ughk.... You make me want to throw up.
  17. NYY
    17. Posted by NYY Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:27 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I still say that they will return to the Fall Classic where they will definitely have their hands full with a very much formidable opponent.........GO YANKEES!!!
  18. Mike B
    18. Posted by Mike B Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:35 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Swisher has always been a bum. Alot of hype and no production. His goofy looking smile reminds me of those kids standing at the fence at a state hospital. Flush this turd, before he stinks up the whole place.
  19. rocky63215
    19. Posted by rocky63215 Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:01 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    So, easily how the people forget that Swisher made a perfect throw on Chone Figgins flyout to right field. Gardner doesn't make that throw and the Angels are up two.
  20. Mark M.
    20. Posted by Mark M. Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:18 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The regular season and post season are two entirely different entities. The intensity levels of the pitchers, defense, and fans is at such a higher degree. If a guy hits .300 (I know Swisher only hit .249) in the regular season but only .103 in the post season, you definitely have wonder if you want him in your starting lineup. You might as well put in somebody who can draw a walk or steal some bases. If Swisher is a good club house guy, just keep him in the clubhouse for now, not on the field, especially when he is in a slump. If he continues hitting poorly, he will most likely put even more pressure on himself and start "thinking" too much.
    I can't imagine the kind of pressure these guys go through, but some guys just seem handle it better than others. I doubt Swisher is one of those guys.
    (I'm just a bored Dodger fan, I have no idea what I am talking about, haha)
  21. Bob E
    21. Posted by Bob E Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    The fault was not with Swisher, but with Hughes. He made Guererro look foolish on a nasty curve, then thinks he can slip a fast ball by him. Like sneaking the crack of dawn past a rooster. That was the game right there. That, and Girardi leaving in AJ after the FIRST batter got on. The Yanks have opened the door about a foot for the Angels.
  22. tomp
    22. Posted by tomp Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:28 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    #8 post- C C S , your yankees? LOL LOL . you referred "your player as Nick "Swisser". REAL FAN. LOL LOL
  23. edwin m
    23. Posted by edwin m Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:30 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    What pisses me off about this guy is God knows how many times he has runners on third with less than 2 outs, and never makes contact or at least makes a productive out. Its ridicilous a mlb player cant at least once get a productive out.
    He sucks.
  24. Eric H
    24. Posted by Eric H Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:34 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Swish is the man!
  25. Robert
    25. Posted by Robert Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    please win Sat yankees so i don't miss my football giants sunday nite...I bet swisher starts and goes 2 -4--Tex broke out on Thurs/ Swish Sat

Big League Stew

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

'Duk

Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
David Brown, Alex Remington, Steve Henson, Curtis Granderson, Jay Levin,

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]

Related Photo Gallery

More MLB Photos »

Y! Sports Blogs

Big League Stew Recent Readers

(provided by MyBlogLog)