Yankees’ Nick Swisher has a name for good pitching
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Free-spirit outfielder Nick Swisher is finishing his first season with the Yankees, having come over from the Chicago White Sox in a trade last November. But he knows a little about Yankee lore.
Back in the day, the Yankees were known for their sluggers, which earned them nicknames like ‘Murderer’s Row’ and ‘the Bronx Bombers.’ This year’s edition is strong on the mound, though, with a three-man playoff rotation of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, with Mariano Rivera closing things out in the bullpen.
‘Those guys have been doing a heck of a job for us,’ he said.
Which means it’s time for a new nickname. Because instead of teams coming into New York to be pounded, Yankee Stadium has now become the place where opponents’ rallies go to die.
‘Instead of having a Murderer’s Row, like the old school,’ he said, ‘I guess we could just have a Death Row with those guys.’
As for the Angels’ recent dominance of the Yankees, that’s all new to Swisher too. But just as the Angels kept saying the recent past meant nothing when they were playing the Red Sox, Swisher says the Yankees aren’t putting too much stock into their history with Anaheim.
‘I don’t think it matters, man,’ he said. ‘This is a completely different team. A completely different team that they have. It’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a lot of fun.’
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For more on the Angels and Yankees, check out the Angels Unplugged blog.
-- Kevin Baxter