TAMPA — Here is the challenge facing Nick Swisher this season: Overcome October.
Swisher has had success during the regular season in The Bronx, but when it comes to October, the numbers tell a different story.
He batted .211 in the five-game ALDS loss to the Tigers last season when the Yankees could not come up with the big hit. In the six-game ALCS defeat to the Rangers in 2010, Swisher hit .091. As a Yankee he is hitting .160 in 100 postseason at-bats.
It’s all about October in pinstripes, and Swisher is well aware of the mountain he has to climb.
“It’s a handful of at-bats,’’ the switch-hitter said yesterday after going 4-for-8 with a home run and two walks in a minor league intrasquad game between the Double-A and Triple-A Yankees as he tested his strained right groin.
“It’s kind of one of those things, a lot of people concentrate on that. Everybody kind of forgets what I’ve done. It’s kind of frustrating. But hey man, it’s New York. You’ve got to produce in the postseason and that’s something I haven’t done yet.’’
Not yet. In Yogi Berra’s first five World Series, by the way, a span of 101 bats, he batted .188. He got a little better after that.
To Swisher’s credit, he has made some serious adjustments this offseason, which he hopes translates into the season — and the postseason.
“I think physically you can look at me and that tells a lot,’’ said Swisher, 31, who will be a free agent after the season. “I’m ready, man. I worked this offseason on everything that I was bad at.
“I just kind of took the weight in this area and brought it up here,’’ he said pointing from his mid-section to his upper body, showing off the results of his new workout routine. “I’ve always been a hard worker, but I never understood how important nutrition was. Now that I’ve got that on my side, I feel great. It’s kind of frustrating coming into camp this year in the shape I’m in and I kind of bang myself up right out of the gate, but that’s kind of part of the gig.’’
No matter what kind of regular season Swisher puts up, it will be October that produces the telling numbers for the right-fielder.
“I’m really excited to get this season going,’’ he said. “It’s a big year for this team and everybody.
“It’s hard to say there is a better team out there than us right now,’’ added Swisher, who will hit in another minor league game today and, if all goes well again, get back in the Yankees lineup tomorrow night. He injured his left groin March 14 and his right one March 20.
Swisher has the perfect positive attitude for a hitter. He understands this is the land of big expectations. As he worked yesterday at the minor league complex and brought his unique brand of enthusiasm over to the minor leaguers, Reggie Jackson came by to watch him swing.
Mr. October knows the deal.
“It’s always about October,’’ Reggie said.
Swisher knows that now, too.
“That’s part of being a Yankee,’’ Swisher said. “You come into camp that first day and you expect to win the World Series, and there are not many ballclubs that can say that, year in and year out. This is one of those organizations and it does have that opportunity and does have all the parts to make it happen. I feel the front office has done a great job of putting the team together this year.
“It’s going to be a great year for us,’’ he said with confidence.
Swisher is mentally and physically prepared to be great this season — and this October. It’s time.