In Full Swing For 2010

Just as spring training kicked off, Nick Swisher sat down with the New York Daily News’ Mark Feinsand to talk about what he’s been up to during the off season and what fans can expect from the Yankee in 2010. As usual, Nick didn’t hold back and gave fans a good look at where he’s at and where he’s going.

To nobody’s surprise, Swisher has a lot to say

By Mark Feinsand

I spoke with Nick Swisher this week for a story that appears in today’s Daily News, and as you can imagine, once you get Swisher going, it’s hard to stop him.

As is typically the case, Swisher had a lot more to say than I had room to write, but that’s the great thing about this blog – I get to share it with you anyway.

I decided that the best way to go about this was to present it in Q&A form, so without further ado, here’s the starting right fielder on his clubhouse persona, his game and why being a Yankee is so important to him.

Daily News: What kind of impact do you think you had on the Yankees clubhouse last year?

Swisher: “It’s nice to be recognized for that stuff in the clubhouse, but I want to be recognized for what I do on the field as well. I feel like I had a monster year last year compared to the year before, and it was a great stepping stone to get me going in the right direction.”

Daily News: Did you prepare any differently this winter than you have in the past?

Swisher: “I felt if I wanted to take my game to the next level, I had to change some things. I made some adjustments, changed the way my body looks, changed my batting stance a little bit. I think the confidence factor is there, and I’m really excited to have that back.”

Daily News: Looking back a year later, how tough was your year in Chicago?

Swisher: “I don’t have any bad feelings about anything that happened to me in Chicago. Chicago is a great city and a great organization, it just wasn’t the spot for me. When I got the call from Brian Cashman last offseason, I was like, ‘All right man, here we go.’

“Last year definitely brought back the fun for me and let everybody else know how fun baseball can be. I’m an emotional guy; I wear my heart on my sleeve and you’re going to know what kind of day I’m having.”

Daily News: Could you have imagined landing in a better situation?

Swisher: “I wake up every morning and feel amazing. I play for the greatest franchise in sports, my family is amazing and I have a beautiful girlfriend – I love my life. I don’t want to sound cocky in any sense of the word, but I feel that my life is perfect. There is nothing else I’d rather be doing, and I know how many people out there would give their left arm to change spots with me. Every time I come to the ballpark, this is my getaway and I want to have as much fun as I can.”

Daily News: You probably didn’t feel the same way last spring when Xavier Nady was named the starting right fielder, right?

Swisher: “X had a monster year in 2008, so if they thought he was the guy to start, that was that. That was definitely a tough day, there’s no doubt. I just thought to myself, if I get the opportunity to get in there, I would have to make the most of it.”

Daily News: Do you ever worry about your boisterous personality rubbing people the wrong way?

Swisher: “This is all I know. I’m going to bust my (butt) every day and give it everything I’ve got, because I don’t want to sit back when I’m 50 years old and say, ‘Man, I wish I would have done that.’ I want to live my life, have a blast doing it, do things the right way, be a good person and enjoy every second of it.”

Daily News: Is playing in New York different than you thought it would be?

Swisher: “There’s so many things that come along with it. You always think you might not be ready, and I’m not talking about on the playing field. There are a lot of things that come with being a Yankee that don’t come with a lot of other teams. The way you represent yourself on and off the field is a major factor, and I take a lot of pride in that. To be in here with our Core Four, to learn from them, to rub elbows with them in here every day, what’s better than that?”

Daily News: Is it hard not to get caught up in everything that comes with playing in New York?

Swisher: “I’ve been taught my whole life to take things in stride. Baseball isn’t going to be easy, or else everybody would do it. When times are good, you have to stay on that same level. Same thing when times are bad. Look at Derek; he’s the same every single day.”

Daily News: Do you like having the “class clown” image?

Swisher: “I’m going to be me. I think there are times when I’m a little too hyper, but I’m getting older. After bouncing around from team to team the past couple years, coming back here to a family atmosphere is amazing.”

Daily News: With the power numbers you put up, do you ever wonder how you’re hitting eighth?

Swisher: “The guy batting seventh hit .325. That’s how dominant this offense was. It’s all good.”

Daily News: Are the Yankees the favorites in 2010?

Swisher: “I’m sure in some people’s minds, we’re the favorites, but we know we have to go out and prove it.”
The original article was published on March 3^rd, 2010 by New York Daily News.