Recently, I’ve been hearing about the “Swisher Effect” on the Yankee clubhouse this spring and I think it’s an appealing development. Dig this, from Ben Reiter’s recent column at SI.com:
The first thing one perceives upon walking into the home clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is the mid-90s hip-hop music — stuff like Warren G’s Regulate and Skee-Lo’s I Wish — blasting from an iPod speaker in the back of the room. The iPod belongs to Nick Swisher. Swisher’s role on the field is still to be determined (he’ll probably play mainly right field, a little left and a little first base), and Cashman says that while his unusually gregarious and enthusiastic nature wasn’t a factor in the decision to acquire him from the White Sox in November, his impact on the team’s dynamic has already been deeply felt. “We’re a little sterile now and then, and we need to be livened up,” the G.M. says. “Swish is just the guy to do it. He’s got a great personality.”
The New York clubhouse has at times seemed businesslike to the point of somberness in recent years, but with Swisher aboard, it’s hard to see that being the case in ’09.
And while you are at SI, check out Tim Marchman’s piece on Alex Rodriguez as well as Joe Posnanski’s cover story on Albert Pujols.
Do I detect an attack on Derek Jeter in those Cashman quotes? Isn't he the one most credited with the "businesslike" atmosphere of the Yankees, before always seen as a positive?
Seriously though, if the media can attack A-Rod for praising Reyes, shouldn't they do the same here? Or does that just further the cause that they are out to get Alex?
I thought it was rich that Mike Lupica, Mike Lupica! of all people, referenced Nate Silver, Nate Silver of BP of all people! today in a column...but it was only to tear down Alex Rodriguez. LOL.
That A Rod story is terrifying.
My favorite is when Swisher refers to himself in the third-person as, "Swish." I wish he'd start calling himself, "The Swish" so he could get into a copyright battle with Nike.
What the hell is he wearing in that picture?
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I believe he is a "plug", looking for a receptive "outlet"
(oy!) :-)
I wanna know what MLB player in that picture is apparently a Steve & Barry's shopper. Come on now, you're making millions of dollars...you can do better than $14 sneakers.
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I can't find the exact picture, but apparently that's from the 2005 Oakland A's rookie hazing.
Cano and Marte both seeing doctors. Cano for 'tightness' back of his shoulder.
Somehow these stories are always much ado about nothing. I remember hearing about how Giambi would have the same effect on the Yankees. How'd that turnout, again?
Worse, the Dynasty was a very boring bunch off the field. They seemed to do all right with the professional demeanor. If anything, that approach helped shape up guys like Sierra, Justice, Gooden, and Strawberry into actual contributors.
Then again, I always loved me some Steve Howe.