YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT OLD FRIEND NICK SWISHER JUST DID!

There was an interesting piece by Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. He writes of a very verbal confrontation that took place at Fan Fest at Progressive Field between Indians first baseman Nick Swisher and Indians Hall of Famer Kenny Lofton. 

According to the report, the two were nose to nose like an umpire and a manager heated over a bad call. Only the bad call was in part of Lofton's remarks a few months back of the Indians season and the "one and done" playoff game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Lofton had told reporters "A playoff is a series, not one game. It's not the Super Bowl." The words subsequently sent rumbles throughout the Indians ball club, so much, that other players like pitcher Vinnie Pestano expressed his angst over it on Twitter.

“@MLBastian: Lofton on Indians' Wild Card Game last year: "That's not a playoff game. A playoff is a series -- not one game."” #SitdownKenny
— Vinnie Pestano (@VinnieP52) January 25, 2014

Last year's team played past 162, thats Postseason. To see the atmosphere that was there that day, thats Postseason. No need to cheapen that
— Vinnie Pestano (@VinnieP52) January 25, 2014

Lofton chose to voice his thoughts poorly, and knock down a team that won 92 games finishing one game behind the Detroit Tigers who have been AL Central powerhouse for quite some time now. Furthermore, Lofton must not have gotten the memo of the new playoff format. It's 2 Wild Cards per league now, not one. 

Swisher confronting Kenny Lofton about this was the right thing to do, trust me. Now look, I'm surprised to see Nick get this worked up to stand up to a guy like Kenny Lofton who is loved by Tribe fans. We've known Swisher to be a guy who is all smiles around the clubhouse, someone who loves to joke and laugh everything off. 

This speaks volumes of his role in Cleveland as a team leader and his passion of being a guy who wants to be apart of helping the Indians be a contender.  He's not going to let anyone shoot down the efforts they put in last year.  This is a guy who has been around long enough in baseball and had a taste of a World Series Championship with New York and wants to get back there again, no doubt.  He's bringing a team together like a family, something to the effect of the Yankees. He knows what being close knit is about.

We at BYB love Nick Swisher and we miss him from time to time here.  We miss the Swisher Salute in right field. The energy he brought to the field.  You couldn't have a more eccentric guy like him. It was mutual, because Swisher loved us the fans right back.  Regardless of how it ended, I will continue to wish him all the best and his endeavors no matter where he is. 

I'm sure many can remember Lofton's brief stint here in the Bronx, and how sour it ended. Kenny had a few choice words about the Yankees and that didn't exactly fall on deaf ears. Lofton should do the math, a 92 win season in 2013 is definitely something to be proud of coming off a disappointing 2012 season with just 68 wins for the Indians.  Hell, the Yankees didn't even make the playoffs!

Swish, it's good to see you making headlines again, even though you're not in pinstripes, we still love ya.  And you did your Indians club proud. Way to go kid!

 You made the right call, you put Lofton in check. Atta boy.


 
Rudy Laurens
BYB Writer
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