Nick Swisher Archives - Page 3 of 4

Don’t Ask

September 14, 2011

To those who didn’t stay up for the finale in this series, I have this to say: you’re lucky.

I really didn’t want to lose tonight, especially since the Sox and Rays had lost and there was a huge opportunity to gain more ground, but there you are. We lost. In extras. On a walkoff homer served up by Cory Wade.

It was inevitable. Aside from Swisher’s solo shot, the offense was AWOL and you don’t win ballgames with zero offense.

Nova resembled his buddy AJ at times – there were leadoff walks plus a wild pitch that cost us a run – but he mostly pitched out of trouble and was bailed out by Robertson and Soriano.

Some sparkling defense was in evidence but Eduardo Scissorhands made the same bonehead move he made a few games ago by not covering third on a play. (I said bad things to the TV when it happened.)

Cano was hit on the foot by a pitch and looked truly pained. If he goes down we’ll be in big trouble, so let’s all send healing vibes to him.

And that’s the story from the west coast.

Well, except that A-Rod and his thumb will, apparently, be in the lineup in Toronto on Friday. That made news, as did his supposed breakup with Cameron Diaz. And we were speculating back in February that they were getting engaged.

Don't Ask

September 14, 2011

To those who didn’t stay up for the finale in this series, I have this to say: you’re lucky.

It was inevitable. Aside from Swisher’s solo shot, the offense was AWOL and you don’t win ballgames with zero offense.

Nova resembled his buddy AJ at times – there were leadoff walks plus a wild pitch that cost us a run – but he mostly pitched out of trouble and was bailed out by Robertson and Soriano.

Some sparkling defense was in evidence but Eduardo Scissorhands made the same bonehead move he made a few games ago by not covering third on a play. (I said bad things to the TV when it happened.)

Cano was hit on the foot by a pitch and looked truly pained. If he goes down we’ll be in big trouble, so let’s all send healing vibes to him.

And that’s the story from the west coast.

Brett The Jet

September 2, 2011

He did it all tonight against the Blue Jays – from his amazing defensive plays (is there a better left fielder in baseball right now?) to the display of power that put the Yankees into the ballgame to the double steal with Jeter. What an asset he’s been this season.

And how about Nova? I was a little worried when he got the ball up in the zone during the later innings, but then he came back in the seventh and pitched lights out – another great outing for him.

Did anyone notice how exhausted Curtis Granderson looked?

I know all the Yankees must have been dead tired after flying back from Boston so late and feeling the after effects from that bruising series, but Granderson’s eyes were like mine after a bout of insomnia.

Mo, too, had sort of a dazed expression. I wasn’t expecting to see him, given how many pitches he threw in last night’s ninth inning, but there he was doing his job. He needs to go right home and get plenty of sleep.

I was hoping Tex’s knee would make a miraculous recovery; Swisher did his best at first base, but he only reminds us how lucky we are to have Tex. Maybe he’ll be better tomorrow? Yeah, probably not.

Oh, one more thing. Is it me or did Eduardo Scissorhands play a very good second base tonight? I didn’t even have to hold my breath whenever the ball was hit to him.

Boston got pummeled by the Rangers, so we’re in good shape again. More, please, Yankees. Pour it on.

Coco Loco

August 24, 2011

Coco Crisp. Aaargh. Sounds like a breakfast cereal. He did a lot of damage tonight, and not even another big night from Swisher could provide an answer.

CC looked off yet again. He didn’t give up a lot of runs; it wasn’t that. He just hasn’t been as dominating as he was a couple of months ago. Robertson wasn’t thrilling either. And Soriano? Maybe he was rusty; we haven’t seen much of him lately.

But Girardi said it best after the game: “We had a lot of opportunities. We didn’t cash in.” Indeed. This whole runners-in-scoring-position thing is a problem. I mean we weren’t facing Verlander. It was Cahill, who’s usually so hittable.

The Yanks have been flat in this series – like they’d rather be lying in a hammock somewhere. Jeter tied Rickey Henderson, which was sweet, but the bats have been made of cheese.

The Yanks really need to pick it up tomorrow. I don’t intend to drive two hours to see them get swept by the Oakland A’s.

What Are The Chances?

August 18, 2011

Two consecutive nights. Two disputed home run calls. The difference was that tonight’s shot by Morneau elicited a quick response from Girardi, who bounced out of the dugout to ask the umps to review the play. The other difference is that the correct call was made after the review and the homer was nullified. Gardenhire was not amused.

Silly of him to get tossed in the first inning, but whatever.

Despite getting the win, CC is worrying me. He had periods tonight when he settled down, but he was getting hit hard. Coming off his last two surprisingly bad outings, he was not inspiring confidence the way he usually does. If there’s something off with his mechanics, I really wish he and Rothschild would figure out what it is. If he’s hurt (please no), I hope he tells somebody and gets it fixed.

I enjoyed the home run derby by Jones, Tex and Swisher, and Jeter and Granderson continued to impress at the plate. If Grandy isn’t a solid choice for MVP, I don’t know who is.

Nunez committed another error, which is not exactly breaking news. (On twitter his nickname is NunEEEEE.) While I appreciate his bat and his speed, I’m really looking forward to A-Rod at third.

The Twins have to wonder what they need to do to beat the Yankees. I hope they keep wondering throughout this series.

A Very Workmanlike Win

August 5, 2011

We beat the Red Sox tonight by waiting Lester out, then delivering when he was vulnerable. I’d call that workmanlike.

At first, I thought we’d never get on the board. Lester’s slider was nasty and he was striking everybody out (or so it seemed).

But along came Granderson to give us a run and, later, Swisher, to put us ahead (he also had an excellent night in the field).

Colon was fine, keeping the Red Sox at two runs, but he wasn’t efficient and it was clear he wouldn’t be hanging around for long. I was a nervous wreck when Girardi brought in Boone with the bases loaded. Talk about a big strikeout.

The entire bullpen was fabulous, with a special shout-out to Soriano. There was no attitude whatsoever when he took the mound in the 7th. He not only set the Sox down in order but had a spring in his step on his way to the dugout. Nicely done.

It was a tense contest but what other kind is there between these two teams? The big takeaway is that the Yankees secured sole possession of first place – for tonight anyway – and I’ll sleep better.

‘Night.

Maybe The “Brew Crew” Had Too Much Brew

June 28, 2011

Oh, my. What a mess of a game for the Brewers. They may be formidable in the NL Central, but they looked more like the Little Rascals at the Stadium tonight. Greinke’s defense clearly did him no favors, but when you walk a batter and hit another, then give up Swisher’s three-run bomb and your manager has a reliever warming in the second inning, you’re toast.

I’ve said many times how much I love blowouts, so this was a very relaxing evening for me. I just sat back, watched the onslaught and enjoyed dinner without heartburn for a change.

Garcia continues to amaze. He looked shaky at first, but once he was pitching with that big lead he had the Milwaukee hitters swinging away like a bunch of Vlad Guerreros.

And now Colon’s coming back, possibly to pitch in this weekend’s series against the Mets (who had TWO grand slams after not having any in, like, a million years)? I hope he’s really okay and not being rushed.

But here’s what I really hope – that all the talk about bringing Meat Tray back is just that: talk.

Sergio+Mitre — Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images North America

The fact that Cliff Lee and the Phillies took care of Josh Beckett and the Sox didn’t exactly ruin my night either.

Maybe The "Brew Crew" Had Too Much Brew

June 28, 2011

I’ve said many times how much I love blowouts, so this was a very relaxing evening for me. I just sat back, watched the onslaught and enjoyed dinner without heartburn for a change.

Garcia continues to amaze. He looked shaky at first, but once he was pitching with that big lead he had the Milwaukee hitters swinging away like a bunch of Vlad Guerreros.

But here’s what I really hope – that all the talk about bringing Meat Tray back is just that: talk.

The fact that Cliff Lee and the Phillies took care of Josh Beckett and the Sox didn’t exactly ruin my night either.

Swishaliciousness

June 19, 2011

Nice Father’s Day win for the Yanks and nice Father’s Day display for his dad by Swisher. Go-ahead homers are always appreciated.

I missed the game. I was on a panel at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. I was talking about my favorite team but unable to watch them in action – the irony. The audience got a kick out of the story of my “divorce” from the Yanks that led to the She-Fan book. I hope all the aspiring authors in the crowd were motivated to write about subjects that stir their passions.

Anyhow, I just finished reading several recaps of the game. It sounds like CC was “off” until he settled down and did his usual workmanlike job of keeping the Yankees in it. Is it me or has he been struggling a little more this season? Maybe he should go back to eating this.

Of course, “struggling” is a relative term. I’d take a pitcher who goes seven innings any day.

Interesting that Gardner led off with a homer, but more exciting to me was the offensive comeback. And we won another series. Yay.

Oh, Bart

June 11, 2011

Gene.Bart — Photo: Suzy Allman/New York Times

What’s next? Do I need to get on a plane and go pitch for the Yankees? I have an arm that’s about as powerful as a strand of spaghetti but I’m willing to do my part. Somebody has to.

Or maybe Colon can get a quick dose of his stem cells and inject them into his hammy?

No words. The guy was cruising along, pitching another gem, and then he went lame like a horse on a race track.

So yeah. We beat the Indians again and it’s a good thing too otherwise I’d be really depressed. I love that their pitcher was ejected for plunking A-Rod, whether it was intentional or not. Enough is enough.

Here are other things I love:

Jorge’s rejuvenated bat (despite his continued bonehead baserunning).
The homers by Grandy, A-Rod and Tex.
The signs of life from Swisher.
The fact that Dave Robertson is a contortionist. He gets himself into trouble and wriggles out of it. Amazing.

Here’s what I don’t love:

Brett Gardner getting caught on the base paths. If he’s so fast, why does he keep screwing up?

The Indians annoy me. They’re whiny. I wish I had some of their Lake Erie midges. I’d unleash them in the players’ hotel rooms.

Oh. I must pass along the news that Roy White, Yankee great and one of my personal favorites, is headlining a great cause in August. In case anybody missed it, here’s the press release.

****************************************************************************************************************

YANKEES GREAT ROY WHITE TO SERVE AS AN OFFICIAL STARTER

FOR DAMON RUNYON 5K AT YANKEE STADIUM

NEW YORK, June 9, 2011 – When thousands of avid runners, passionate baseball fans, cancer survivors, and supporters from across the country gather at the Damon Runyon 5K starting line on August 7 to support the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, they will get the signal to run from New York Yankees great Roy White, one of the race’s official starters.

The only charitable run/walk that uses the legendary ballpark as its course, the third annual Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium will take place on Sunday, August 7, 2011. Participants will run or walk the Stadium’s concourses, climb stairs between levels, appear on the video board, and follow in the footsteps of their favorite players by taking their own victory laps on the warning track that circles the field. The event is on track to reach a three-year total of $1 million raised to fund groundbreaking cancer research by the nation’s most innovative young scientists.

White spent his entire 15 year career with the Yankees. As starting left fielder, he helped them to an American League pennant in 1976 and two World Series Championships in 1977 and 1978. He still ranks in the Yankees top ten in several categories, including games played, hits, at bats, stolen bases and walks. For his career, he batted .271 with 1803 hits, 160 homers and 233 stolen bases.

In addition to serving as an official starter for the race, White will be featured at a private reception for the Runyon 5K’s leading early fundraisers on June 21 at Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant in New York City. He will tell stories about his days with the Yankees, participate in a Q&A, sign autographs, be available for photos and watch the Yankees play the Cincinnati Reds in an interleague showdown.

This year marks the 35^th anniversary of the 1976 Yankees team that won their first American League pennant in 12 seasons before being swept by the Cincinnati Reds. The year was important in Yankees history as it marked their first pennant under late owner George Steinbrenner, who promised a swift return to the World Series when he bought the team in 1973.

The Foundation, established in 1946 and based in New York City, has a long history with the Yankees. Joe DiMaggio was on its Board of Directors. Damon Runyon himself was a New York writer who began his career as a baseball journalist, revolutionizing how the game was reported and often covering Yankees games.

Last year’s event raised more than $400,000 and drew a capacity crowd of 4,000 participants from 29 states. Click to see videos and photos of the 2010 Runyon 5K. In addition to the New York Yankees’ support, other event sponsors include the MetLife Foundation, White Rose, 24 Hour Fitness, the New York Daily News, SiriusXM Radio, and WNBC 4 New York.

Registration is still open for a fee of $40 and a minimum fundraising requirement of $60. After July 7 the registration fee will increase to $50. Family members and supporters will have the opportunity to view the event from the Delta SKY360° Suite overlooking home plate.

Goodbye, Yankees. It’s Been Nice Having You Nearby.

June 5, 2011

And so, after today’s win, the Yanks fly back to New York. It’s been sweet having them on my coast and, with all due modesty, I did hold up my end by hosting them successfully. Aside from the Seattle series, they looked mighty fine.

Before I discuss today’s game, however, I need to rant for a sec about Cox Cable, which is supposed to provide me with television broadcasts.

When I turned on the TV before the game I got a blank screen. Apparently, my Extra Innings package, for which I spend far too much money every year, had blacked me out.

No problem, I thought. I’ll just watch on the Angels’ channel like I did on Friday and Saturday.

Not so fast. That channel, the regional FOX sports network, was showing the Dodgers.

Growing panicky, I started flipping around trying to find the game. I went to a zillion different channels and it wasn’t on. I went on Twitter and asked people where the game was. I was told it was on KCOP and tried to find it. No luck.

I called Cox and spent 20 minutes on the phone with a woman who kept saying over and over, “Major League Baseball games are on FOX.”

“They are not!” I kept telling her. “Only the Saturday games. This one is on KCOP. Do I get that channel? Yes or no?”

She put me on hold to check – for another 20 minutes.

“KCOP is an LA-based channel,” she said when she came back on. “You live in Santa Barbara.”

“Um, I know where I live, thanks,” I said, wanting to poke her eyeballs out. “I get LA-based channels here. But do I get KCOP or not? Yes or no.”

To make a very long story short, it took forever for her to finally say “NO.”

And so I listened to the game on the radio. Which is another way of saying that I heard but didn’t see the game.

It sounded like Colon wasn’t as sharp this time out but still managed to keep the game well in hand.
It sounded like Cano’s defense dazzled.
It sounded like Tex is on one of his homer streaks.
It sounded like Posada tried to stretch a double into a triple and was out by many, many miles. (I thought Sterling and Waldman’s “analysis” of his bonehead move would last forever. They kept repeating, “What made him do that? What was he thinking?”)
It sounded like Swisher’s homer almost wasn’t. (Sterling: “It is high…No, it’s gonna be foul…No, it hit the foul pole…”It’s Swishalicious!” Oy.)
It sounded like Gardner got caught stealing again. Is he wearing lead shoes this year?
It sounded like both Robertson and Joba felt like walking batters, just to live on the edge, but wriggled out of trouble.
It sounded like Mo got another save.

I love that we won these close games. The boys have earned their day off tomorrow.

Goodbye, Yankees. It's Been Nice Having You Nearby.

June 5, 2011

Before I discuss today’s game, however, I need to rant for a sec about Cox Cable, which is supposed to provide me with television broadcasts.

When I turned on the TV before the game I got a blank screen. Apparently, my Extra Innings package, for which I spend far too much money every year, had blacked me out.

No problem, I thought. I’ll just watch on the Angels’ channel like I did on Friday and Saturday.

Not so fast. That channel, the regional FOX sports network, was showing the Dodgers.

I called Cox and spent 20 minutes on the phone with a woman who kept saying over and over, “Major League Baseball games are on FOX.”

“They are not!” I kept telling her. “Only the Saturday games. This one is on KCOP. Do I get that channel? Yes or no?”

She put me on hold to check – for another 20 minutes.

“KCOP is an LA-based channel,” she said when she came back on. “You live in Santa Barbara.”

“Um, I know where I live, thanks,” I said, wanting to poke her eyeballs out. “I get LA-based channels here. But do I get KCOP or not? Yes or no.”

To make a very long story short, it took forever for her to finally say “NO.”

And so I listened to the game on the radio. Which is another way of saying that I heard but didn’t see the game.

It sounded like Colon wasn’t as sharp this time out but still managed to keep the game well in hand.
It sounded like Cano’s defense dazzled.
It sounded like Tex is on one of his homer streaks.
It sounded like Posada tried to stretch a double into a triple and was out by many, many miles. (I thought Sterling and Waldman’s “analysis” of his bonehead move would last forever. They kept repeating, “What made him do that? What was he thinking?”)
It sounded like Swisher’s homer almost wasn’t. (Sterling: “It is high…No, it’s gonna be foul…No, it hit the foul pole…”It’s Swishalicious!” Oy.)
It sounded like Gardner got caught stealing again. Is he wearing lead shoes this year?
It sounded like both Robertson and Joba felt like walking batters, just to live on the edge, but wriggled out of trouble.
It sounded like Mo got another save.

I love that we won these close games. The boys have earned their day off tomorrow.

Let’s Hear It For The Sweep

June 1, 2011

cheerleader11 — (courtesy: amazing-animations.com)

Since you guys thought yesterday’s cheerleader was a transvestite, I thought I’d try this little blonde on you. I wish she had blue pom poms and a pinstripe outfit on instead of the dreaded red, but I haven’t learned Photo Shop yet.

Anyhow, how about A.J.? When he gave up that homer to Willingham in the first inning, I was more than a little anxious that things would go south. But no! He was fantastic. Truly. I know people think the A’s are hardly more than a minor league team, but anybody with a bat in his hands is a threat. That’s my position. A.J. deserves kudos for going seven and looking good doing it.

And speaking of looking good, how about that comebacker that Joba turned into a double play? Right on the heels of the comebacker that Garcia turned into a DP in the previous game. I like it. And I like that Mo set the A’s down one-two-three. Order has been restored. Soriano who?

rafael-soriano3-359x540 — (courtesy: bronxbaseballdaily.com)

And finally, how about Swisher living up to his “Swishalicious” nickname for a change? That homer was sweet. I hope it signals the end of his funk.

So….our boys go down to Anaheim, the scene of many a massacre. Whenever I think about playing the Angels, I get horrible flashbacks to a game I went to when Garret Anderson had TEN RBIs…to the era when we couldn’t beat them if they’d played blindfolded. And, of course, I flash back to this creature.

Please, Yankees. Beat the Angels this weekend and beat them quickly. Thank you. xxoo

Let's Hear It For The Sweep

June 1, 2011

And finally, how about Swisher living up to his “Swishalicious” nickname for a change? That homer was sweet. I hope it signals the end of his funk.

Please, Yankees. Beat the Angels this weekend and beat them quickly. Thank you. xxoo

The Yankees Won (Yay) But I Lost (My Mind)

May 29, 2011

I missed the game today.

I could lie and say it was because I had an extremely important social engagement.

I could make up an excuse about not feeling well.

I could pretend I was kidnapped and held captive in a room without a TV.

But I can’t do it. So I’ll tell the truth and admit that the reason I missed the game was because I’m a dumb blonde.

When I saw that the game was on at 4 pm, I thought that meant 4 pm PACIFIC TIME, because, after all, the games out here on the west coast have been later. So I sat around the house all day, waiting for 4 o’clock. About 3:59, I turned on the TV and gasped. They were in the 9th inning and the Yanks were about to win it 7-1!

Oh, well. It sounds like CC was fabulous, not only holding down the Mariners but giving the bullpen a breather.

And good for Swisher getting that homer. Nice day for Andruw Jones too, which probably spells the end for Jorge as a DH against lefties. Apparently, everybody in the starting lineup had a hit. I’m happy, obviously. I’m just sorry I didn’t see the fun, especially after suffering through the last couple of losses.

But enough whining. I now have a few unexpected hours to kill. I think I’ll go browsing on my On Demand cable channel and find a movie or two to watch. Could be worse.

Happy July 4th tomorrow.

Oh, wait. It’s Memorial Day.

(Just kidding. I’m not that bad.)

P.S. I went to see “Surf Dog” at his hot dog stand yesterday, and he gave me an earful about the Yankees. I’ll post the video tomorrow night.

Nice Blowout!

May 19, 2011

blow-drying-hair-vintage-590 — Photo: Getty Images/stylelist.com

Thirteen runs. My kind of game. Especially when we’re shutting out the opposition, which is what CC did tonight. Unlike his previous appearances, this one against the Orioles was truly dominating. It was so dominating I allowed myself to enjoy my dinner for a change. No need for this whatsoever.

Poor Amaury Sanit. He couldn’t maintain the shutout. I thought Girardi would pop a vein in his neck watching Sanit bumble his way through the ninth. But mercifully, it all ended with a three-game winning streak heading back to New York.

Wasn’t it fun watching Swisher and Posada, in particular, have such positive results offensively, given their struggles?

Didn’t it thrill you to see a zillion triples and doubles along with garden-variety singles and homers?

How about Posada playing first and, later, Martin taking over at third? So what if they looked about as comfortable out there as I look on an ice skating rink.

ice skating fall — Photo: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

The only real drama in this one came early when Bergesen plunked Cano. Again, no one knows what’s really in a pitcher’s head, but in this case it seemed to be retaliation for Cano’s game-winning hit the night before. And so, like the ace he is, CC took care of business and plunked Markakis, their best hitter. Problem solved and everybody moved on.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Marc Carig, beat writer for the Star-Ledger, asked everybody on Twitter: “How much importance do you place on the Yankees-Mets series?”

Some tweeted back that the series was huge to them. Me? I wrote this: “About as much importance as if the Yankees played the Pirates.”

Maybe it’s because I don’t live in New York anymore. Maybe it’s because I don’t consider the Mets a real rival. Maybe it’s because I’m not a fan of interleague play. To me, the weekend’s games are just that: games. I’d like the Yankees to win them all, but there’s nothing new about that.

All We Needed Was….Chris Dickerson!

May 17, 2011

Well? Who knows. Maybe he came from Scranton covered in magic dust. He was inserted into the lineup in Jorge’s favorite #9 spot (just a little joke), substituted for Swisher in right field after the Nickster ate a bad clam or something (just another little joke) and not only made a nice catch but hit a sacrifice bunt AND he stroked an RBI single (no joke; he really did).

Clearly, his magic dust rubbed off on the Yankees. The evidence?

Nova bounced back from his rocky start.
A-Rod came to vivid life with those two homers.
Gardner got actual hits.
Posada looked great at the plate.
Robertson and Joba got in/out of trouble.
And, best of all, nobody made an error. Oh wait. Never mind that one.

We won a goddamn ballgame. Woohoo! And we beat the Rays in their cockamamie stadium. (I thought it would take the umpires forever to issue a ruling on Shoppach’s fly ball. Yawn.)

The curse has been lifted. Temporarily, anyway. I’m celebrating. Who’s with me?