Bro-No…..Bro-Yeah, Swisher is Back Jack.
Baseball is an unpredictable game. Every year there are expectations set for players and teams. This happens at all levels of the game, from recreation league to the Major leagues. Going into the 2014 season, Nick Swisher was expected to lead the Indians back to the playoffs. At the end of June, Swisher was playing the worst baseball of his career. He was bating below .200 and was dealing with a few nagging injuries. The entire city of Cleveland was ready to send Swish to the old glue factory. The local media was bashing him every chance they could. Some were even saying that he was the worst signing in the history of the Indians. I, on the other hand, have never lost faith.
Baseball is a cyclical game. This means that no matter how bad or good things seem to be, they will always come back up or down. I have been playing or coaching baseball for 23 years. I started as a little tyke playing t-ball at age 5. At a very early age I learned that no matter how bad your slump was, you could always come back. So far in July, this is exactly what Nick Swisher has done. He is bating .308 in with 14 RBI’s so far this month. This is an incredible turn around, considering from April thru June, Swisher only had 25 total RBI’s.
The Indians need Swisher to be the same presence on the field as he is in the dugout. Swisher is always smiling and happy to be at the ball park. A Plain Dealer article this week, said Swisher was helping clubhouse attendants unload the Indians gear when they arrived in Detroit. Can you imagine the highest paid player on any other MLB team unloading bags. That’s why there are rookies. The Plain Dealer also reported that:
“When he wasn’t helping the clubbies, he was walking around the clubhouse clapping his hands and encouraging his teammates to get ready for the post All-Star break schedule.
“I’ve got a lot of energy built up,” shouted Swisher.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Swisher’s personality is electric and contagious. Baseball is the same way. There is a saying in baseball that goes “hits come in bunches.” This is the same with hot streaks. All it takes is the right attitude and a few good breaks for the Indians to make a serious run at the playoffs.
I don’t expect Swisher to stay this hot as the season wraps up. However, I do expect him to level out a bit and stay around the .280 mark. Swisher is going to be the key to a playoff run. The Indians are currently on a very difficult stretch coming out of the All-Star break. They have 11 games in 10 days on the road. They started last night by pounding the motor city kitties 9-3. For all those BroHio haters still out there, Swisher had 2 hits and 3 RBI’s.
Written By Rick Giavonette – @CST_RickG
Photo Credit to: http://www.indiansbaseballinsider.com/user/blogs/67444-img-0-full.jpg
