• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

OF Nick Swisher (All Star, World Series Champion)

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
Nick Swisher back with Indians
Updated: February 17, 2013
AP

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- For Nick Swisher, being back among his new teammates brought comfort after a few difficult days.

Swisher returned to spring training camp with the Cleveland Indians on Sunday after leaving the team to attend his mother's funeral in Ohio. The Indians weren't sure when Swisher would be back and his arrival was a welcome sight to them -- and just what he needed.

"It's nice to get around the guys, man," Swisher said. "It takes your mind off stuff. ... It's nice to go back home and see everybody. It's such a bad time. But it's nice to be back here doing what I love, just getting back in my routine."

Swisher left the Indians last week following the passing of his mother, Lillian Marie Malizia, who died in Columbus, Ohio, following a second battle with leukemia. She was 63.

As he took batting practice under a cloudless Arizona sky, Swisher smiled, laughed and joked around with other players near the cage. The Indians signed the 32-year-old to a four-year, $56 million contract this winter.

He missed the club's first full-squad workout on Friday as well as Saturday's practice, and manager Terry Francona wasn't counting on him being back so soon.

But Swisher was at the team's training complex on Sunday morning ready to go.

"I didn't even want to call to check and see when he was coming back," Francona said. "We were trying to prepare for the day. I told (hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo), `If he's here, he's here. If he's not, he's not.' You've got to take care of what you've got to take care of. But there's a little different vibe when he's around, and I mean that in a really positive way."

Swisher batted .272 with 24 homers and 93 RBIs for the Yankees last season. He played mostly in the outfield for New York, but he'll be Cleveland's primary first baseman. The Indians signed free agent Michael Bourn last week to a four-year, $48 million contract and will play him in center field with Drew Stubbs in right and Michael Brantley in left.

Swisher didn't offer many details about his mother's passing, and said he was anxious to return to some sense of normalcy.

"The last thing I want to do is bring any more attention to this situation that what has to be," he said. "It was nice. It was good to go home. The service was beautiful. We've just got to move on. We've got to do our grieving and just move on."
Click to expand...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8...ck-cleveland-indians-following-mother-funeral
 
Upvote 0
Nick Swisher Has New-Look Indians Buzzing
By Tom Withers, AP Sports
February 21, 2013

GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) ? Rain, wind and general gloominess reported to the Indians? spring training camp on Wednesday, forcing the club to move batting practice and pitcher?s workouts inside.

The change seemed to ruin the day for a few players.

Nick Swisher wasn?t one of them. In Swisher?s world, it?s 80 and sunny, not a cloud in sight.

Always, bro.

?Hey, that?s just who I am,? the Indians first baseman said, flashing an infectious smile that never seems to fade. ?I?ve been this way since I was like 6.?

Swisher, who signed a four-year, $56 million contract ? the largest for a free agent in Cleveland history ? this winter, has brought his endless energy and enthusiasm to the Indians, a club desperately needing an infusion of something following a painful 94-loss season.

While there?s some who wonder whether he?s putting on an act, the 32-year-old Swisher says he?s just being himself.

?It?s funny,? he said. ?I?ve been doing this for 10 years, bro, and people still question it. It?s me being me ? whether you like it or not.?

cont...
Click to expand...

http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2013/02/21/nick-swisher-has-new-look-indians-buzzing/
 
Upvote 0
Cleveland Indians Nick Swisher cleaning up in spring training: Bud Shaw
Bud Shaw, The Plain Dealer
February 22, 2013

12320576-large.jpg

Nick Swisher is a hit from the start for the Cleveland Indians, hitting an RBI single in his first at-bat in Goodyear, Ariz. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Nick Swisher's first game in an Indians uniform felt like home, right down to the voice heard from the other side of the practice field fence.

"O-H," a man yelled as Swisher reached down to grab some equipment after morning batting practice.

"I-O," Swisher answered, looking up.

Swisher talks to everybody. And sometimes to no one in particular.

"Let's go eat, guys," he said, walking ahead of teammates toward the clubhouse. "And let's get ready for this big-league ballgame."

Swisher played first base and hit cleanup for the Indians in their spring opener against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. One of those is a natural migration for him.

Center fielder Michael Bourn's acquisition meant a move to right field for Drew Stubbs. That precipitated Swisher going to first base, where he played almost exclusively in high school and college.

"I want to show everybody what I can do over there," Swisher said. "I've been bashed on about being a slow outfielder for the last 10 years. I'm done with that."

cont...
Click to expand...

http://www.cleveland.com/budshaw/index.ssf/2013/02/cleveland_indians_nick_swisher.html
 
Upvote 0
Nick on Cleveland radio 3 6 13

Swisher Taking On Team Leader Role Early In Tribe Camp
By Matt Loede - 92.3 The Fan's Indians Beat Reporter
March 5, 2013

dscn0206.jpg


SCOTTSDALE, AZ (92.3 The Fan) ? From the moment he stepped onto the platform of the interview room at Progressive Field, new Indians 1B/OF Nick Swisher has brought one thing to this franchise.

?Boundless enthusiasm.?

Those are the words of his new manager, Terry Francona, who did a little shadow boxing with Swisher following his solo homer vs the Giants on Tuesday in Scottsdale.

Just another day for a guy who went so far as to use the area code ?2-1-6″ when talking about the excitement of the team and what it means to come home to the Tribe.

?I?m excited man, I really am, I guess it?s kind of like a homecoming party in a sense,? Swisher said after the Indians 4-3 win vs the Giants.

?I?ve never been here before, so I don?t know what it?s like in the past, but it seems like there?s an awful lot of buzz going on around this team, especially in the 2-1-6.

?We?re super excited about it, it?s going to be a great year for us.?

cont...
Click to expand...

http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2013/03/05/swisher-taking-on-team-leader-role-early-in-tribe-camp/
 
Upvote 0
Indians Cleveland Indians
The Harlem Shake has come to Goodyear!

BFHWbsCCIAA1fpM.jpg:large
Click to expand...

https://twitter.com/Indians/status/311265620421386240/photo/1

Nick Swisher puts Harlem Shake into Indians clubhouse
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published: March 11, 2013

GOODYEAR, ARIZ.: Only in baseball could dressing up like the Easter bunny have a serious purpose.

The Indians’ clubhouse Monday looked as if a giant Halloween party had broken out, with players and coaches decked out in all manner of costumes: Nick Swisher, who organized the event, wore an authentic Ohio State football uniform; Justin Masterson was wrapped in what looked like a bear rug; manager Terry Francona had on a baby’s outfit.

Swisher decided — that like the Miami Heat and the Arizona Diamondbacks before them — the Indians should produce a Harlem Shake dancing video, which probably will be posted on Indians.com and from there can go viral on the Internet.

A reporter remarked to Francona that it took guts to wear his costume.

“I agree,” he said. “I had a choice. There was a little bunny rabbit, but I couldn’t get into it. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. This was all Swisher’s idea, which shouldn’t come as a shock to anybody.”

There was more to the stunt than having a good laugh in the clubhouse, and the fact that Swisher came up with the idea is instructive.

“Nothing but little costume Monday,” Swisher said, laughing. “Everybody brought their own: BYOCM [bring your own costume Monday].”

Of his own attire, Swisher said, “Have to rep the OH.”

cont...
Click to expand...

http://www.ohio.com/sports/indians/nick-swisher-puts-harlem-shake-into-indians-clubhouse-1.380412
 
Upvote 0
Cleveland Indians' Nick Swisher learns to move on from career with Yankees
Swisher is part of a new era in Cleveland, one that began with the hiring of manager Terry Francona and continued with the signings of Swisher, Mark Reynolds and Michael Bourn. He still keeps in touch with some of his old teammates but is no longer worried about what?s happening in the Bronx.
By Mark Feinsand / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday, April 8, 2013

yankees-indians-baseball.jpg

Photo by AP
Tony Dejak/AP
Nick Swisher is trying to bring Yanks? winning attitude to Cleveland.

CLEVELAND ? Nick Swisher is loving life in his new baseball hometown, soaking up the love as the first baseman and cleanup hitter for the Indians.

But the 32-year-old admitted he was ?hurt? by the Yankees? decision to let him go without even an offer last winter after he averaged 26 home runs and 87 RBI per season during his four-year run in pinstripes.

?It hurt,? Swisher said before going 1-for-3 in a loss to his former team. ?That team was amazing. The city was amazing, my teammates were so great to me. When you?re in a place for four years, that?s a long time in baseball years. You develop some relationships and sometimes when you leave, that?s not exactly what you want to do sometimes.

?When it boils down to it, they didn?t come to me. They didn?t even offer anything. In a situation like that, as much as I love that city and as hard as it was for me to leave, I had to do what was best for my family and myself.?

cont...
Click to expand...

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...-move-yankees-article-1.1311245#ixzz2Py7UnPgk

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nWR9fj7z3Y"]Nick Swisher Home Opener Press Conference Part 1 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6LF5gXFvbw"]Nick Swisher Home Opener Press Conference Part 2 - YouTube[/ame]
 
Upvote 0
Nick Swisher remembers grandparents before each pitch: Cleveland Indians Chatter
12617503-mmmain.jpg

The Cleveland Indians' Nick Swisher points to the sky after hitting a double on April 13. (John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
April 22, 2013


Clubhouse confidential: Nick Swisher, when he's at the plate, before every pitch that comes his way, glances skyward.

"I'm looking at my grandparents," said Swisher. "They always loved to watch me play ball. My dad always said, 'Give them the best seat in the house.' Now I've just moved them to the top of the stadium."

Swisher was raised by his grandparents, both deceased, after his parents divorced.
Click to expand...

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/04/nick_swisher_remembers_grandpa.html
 
Upvote 0
Indians: Even rainout doesn?t stop Nick Swisher?s joy
Filed by Associated Press April 24th, 2013 in Tribe Notes.

CHICAGO ? Three weeks into the season and Indians outfielder Nick Swisher can?t contain his excitement over his new team.

The veteran will have to wait another day to help Cleveland try to extend its three-game winning streak after rain postponed Tuesday night?s game against the Chicago White Sox.

The game was called three hours and 35 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. Starters Zach McAllister of Cleveland and Jose Quintana will be pushed back to pitch this afternoon.

Swisher, who signed with Cleveland in the offseason after four seasons with the New York Yankees, is excited about how the Indians are jelling.

?It?s just a great group of guys around here,? he said. ?It?s a good core of new guys that we have. And we are bringing over 15 new faces, obviously, you?re going to go one way or the other. One way meaning everyone is going to latch on together and take off, or guys are going to kind of do their own thing.

.

?The great chemistry and the bonding that we have done through spring and even with the ?Harlem Shake,? as cheesy as that was, it was just a team-building exercise. Now we?re all trying to get to the point where we?re all trying to gain loyalty together and trust.?

Swisher is already a big fan of his new manager, Terry Francona. He was happy to hear that Francona will use him as a designated hitter to get him some added rest.

?I have never had that ever in my life,? said Swisher, who is hitting .288 with two home runs and a .405 on base percentage. ?To have a manager really looking out for you like that just makes coming to the ballpark awesome every single day. And not only that: it makes you want to run through a brick wall every time you get the opportunity because you got a guy like that backing you.

?It?s my 10th year in the league, so I am happy. It took me 10 years to get this so now that I do have it I guess I can appreciate it that much more. I?ll take that.?

cont...
Click to expand...

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/04/24/indians-even-rainout-doesn’t-stop-nick-swisher’s-joy/
 
Upvote 0
Cleveland Indians' Nick Swisher willing to play where he's needed

12633091-mmmain.jpg

Nick Swisher playing right field last week against Boston. (Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)

Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
April 25, 2013

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Under normal circumstances it's hard to keep up with Nick Swisher. On the field, in the locker room and in everyday living, Swisher operates in a higher gear than most of us.

Lately the job of keeping pace with Swisher and his work with the Indians has become even more difficult. One day he could be at first base, the next at designated hitter and the next in right field.

Swisher started changing positions the day after Matt Thornton stepped on Michael Bourn's right index finger and put him on the disabled list on April 14. When the Indians signed Swisher to a four-year, $56 million deal in December, he was supposed to be their starting right fielder. The deal came with an interesting perk: GM Chris Antonetti told Swisher that he wasn't done signing players.

So when the Indians signed Bourn to a four-year, $48 million deal just after the start of spring training in February, Swisher already knew he was headed for first base. His latest change of address, or should that be addresses, came without warning after Bourn was spiked during his head-first slide into first base.

Manager Terry Francona says Swisher wasn't crazy about the idea when he presented it to him. After signing the biggest free agent contract in team history, Swisher probably didn't think he'd be bouncing his 32-year-old body around like a utility infielder. Especially since he played so little right field during spring training.

Swisher, however, does not do things halfway.

"Whatever the manager needs me to do," said Swisher, "even though I love playing first base and feel I do pretty well at that.

"In the situation that has been presented to us, we never thought that Mike B would go down with a freaky finger issue. So it was like I told Tito right out of the gate, 'Hey, bro, whatever you need me to do that's what I'm here for.' "

cont...
Click to expand...

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/04/cleveland_indians_nick_swisher_1.html
 
Upvote 0
Nick Swisher Still Doing Nick Swisher

k-bigpic.jpg


Depending on your point of view, Nick Swisher is either a lovable team mascot or the worst. It's all a matter of team loyalties. To his credit, Swisher doesn't seem to care either way. Swish just does Swish.

He's an Ohio State guy and since joining the Indians Swisher has incorporated some state-specific celebrations to his repertoire. In the picture above (from Saturday), he's celebrating a homerun with som O-H hand signals.

He did it again tonight and, actually, he was pretty active all game. For the Cleveland-folk, here is loveable goofball-teammate Nick Swisher celebrating a Carlos Santana homerun.
Click to expand...

http://deadspin.com/nick-swisher-still-doing-nick-swisher-497610219
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top