Daily Archives: March 13, 2009

Recently, I’ve been hearing about the “Swisher Effect” on the Yankee clubhouse this spring and I think it’s an appealing development. Dig this, from Ben Reiter’s recent column at SI.com:

The first thing one perceives upon walking into the home clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa is the mid-90s hip-hop music — stuff like Warren G’s Regulate and Skee-Lo’s I Wish — blasting from an iPod speaker in the back of the room. The iPod belongs to Nick Swisher. Swisher’s role on the field is still to be determined (he’ll probably play mainly right field, a little left and a little first base), and Cashman says that while his unusually gregarious and enthusiastic nature wasn’t a factor in the decision to acquire him from the White Sox in November, his impact on the team’s dynamic has already been deeply felt. “We’re a little sterile now and then, and we need to be livened up,” the G.M. says. “Swish is just the guy to do it. He’s got a great personality.”

The New York clubhouse has at times seemed businesslike to the point of somberness in recent years, but with Swisher aboard, it’s hard to see that being the case in ’09.

And while you are at SI, check out Tim Marchman’s piece on Alex Rodriguez as well as Joe Posnanski’s cover story on Albert Pujols.

Today’s news is powered by a “What’s My Line” appearance by Bobby Murcer (from 1971) …..

• MLB.com has an article on Hughes and Kennedy looking to redeem themselves in 2009.
• Fan favorite Jim Kaat now has his own website, kittykaat.com.  Also, Kaat will also return to the broadcast booth this season, calling a few games for the MLB Network.
• The Yanks have now reached contract agreements with all their non-arbitration players.  Joba Chamberlain will earn $432,575 if, as expected, he spends the entire season with the big club.
• PeteAbe gives us the salary list for those non-arbitration players.
• Mariano Duncan turns 46 today.  Duncan was a godsend at 2B for the Yankees in 1996, hitting .340 in 400 ABs.  He never learned how to take a walk, earning a mere nine free passes in 417 PAs that season (.352 OBP).  For his career, he walked a little more than once every 25 PAs.
• Happy 50th birthday to Luis Aguayo (spot starter at 3B for ’88 squad).
• On this date in 1937, Lou Gehrig signs for $38,000 with a $750 signing bonus.
• On this date last year, 59-year-old Billy Crystal makes an appearance in a Yankees spring training game. He strikes out on a full count from Paul Maholm after hitting one ball just foul.