On the heels of another dismal post-season at the plate, New York right fielder Nick Swisher offered assurances to Yankee fans concerned with the club’s puzzling move to exercise his $10.5 million option for 2012.
“I appreciate the organization’s recognition of my post-season accomplishments in pinstripes, and I’ll do all I can to ensure more of the same in 2012,” he beamed.
Swisher was mum on rumors of a strict diet to reduce his playing weight from his current 210 to a more Brett Gardner-like 180.
“Sorry, guys. If I’m going to take my post-season game to the next level, the element of surprise is going to be key.”
Though Yankee fans have grown impatient waiting for a post-season breakout from the powerful switch hitter, it seems the Swisher surge is already in high gear. His batting averages have improved dramatically in each of his last two post-seasons with the Bombers. After a rough 2009 campaign saw his batting average hover at .128, a new and improved swing brought dramatic results, as his .176 BA in 2010 attests. Swisher hit stride in 2011, leapfrogging the Mendoza line to settle comfortably at .211.
“It’s all about pitch recognition and plate discipline,” he grinned. “Get it, plate discipline?”
