The New York Yankees sure do a good job remembering and honoring the players that helped them build their reputation as perennial winners.
World Series-winning outfielder Nick Swisher will be presented with the 42nd Annual Pride of the Yankees Award at the 2022 New York Yankees Homecoming Dinner, according to the team.
“Tomorrow, ’09 World Series Champion Nick Swisher will be honored with the 42nd Annual Pride of the Yankees Award at the 2022 New York Yankees Homecoming Dinner,” the Yankees tweeted.
Swisher said he was honored via Twitter, too.
So honored!!! https://t.co/bYCrOBvwMO
— Nick Swisher (@NickSwisher) May 20, 2022
He is one of the 2009 World Series heroes for the Yankees.
A Key Cog In The Yankees’ 2009 Lineup
Even though his performance in the playoffs that year wasn’t statistically good, he did hit a World Series homer and contributed a lot during the regular season.
Swisher came to the Yankees in a late 2008 trade, and went on to be a starter in the outfield.
In 2009, he slashed .249/.371/.498 with 29 home runs and 88 RBI, solid numbers that helped keep the Bombers offense going.
That was the last time the Yankees won a World Series, which for a team used to winning, represents a long drought.
That is why that championship is so valued in the Bronx: it was the first one since 2000, and the last one they won.
They have come relatively close a couple of times since 2009, but have always failed.
Swisher, who was on the Hall of Fame ballot last year, played for several franchises in his MLB career (the Oakland Athletics, the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Indians, and the Atlanta Braves), but the 2009 World Series title, the only one he lifted as a player, is one of his most valued accomplishments.
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