Cheers or jeers for Swish?

For four years, Yankee fans had a love affair with Nick Swisher. The jovial "bro" who just so happened to be a ballplayer established a relationship with fans in the Bronx that few have been able to accomplish. He would often stop during games to chat with the crowd in right field - his "Swisher Salute" always a highlight during roll call. His attitude and demeanor made it easy to root for him. After all, this is a guy who once said that baseball is just a "glorified version of wiffle ball." However, Swisher didn't leave on a great note, and it will be interesting to see the reception he gets when he digs into the batters box at Yankee Stadium tonight. Although he was a solid regular season player, Swisher's four years of ineptitude in the postseason (.161 career average, four homers, seven RBI with NYY)  culminated last year in October with some of the fans turning on their once beloved right fielder. After game one of the ALCS, in which Swisher misplayed a ball he claims to have "lost in the lights," he made some comments that didn't sit too well with Yankee fans. “To go through a stretch like this where it’s kind of a negative attitude, a negative type setting, that’s tough,” he said. "It hurts. Sometimes I’m a sensitive guy and some of the things people say, they get under your skin a little bit.”

That quote right there is a prime example of why Swisher didn't succeed in the spotlight. He's the kind of guy who wants to please everyone. When he doesn't, he tries harder. When he tries harder, he presses - when he presses, the boos come - and it's a vicious cycle that goes on and on. The truth of the matter is, is that no one wanted to hear about how tough it was to get booed. The numbers Swisher put up weren't worthy of cheers, and as a professional athlete - especially in New York in October where players are ultimately judged - he shouldn't have been surprised. There were reports that fans were saying things about his personal life and blaming him for Jeter's injury, which is inexcusable. But regardless, it all comes with the territory. Alex Rodriguez, who has been the poster-boy for the team's postseason failures and the target for unparalleled criticism, owns up to his poor play and has even said he would boo himself if he was a fan. In my opinion, I feel Swisher felt like he was untouchable because of the relationship he built up with the fans over four years. Tonight, as Swisher's name is announced, expect to hear mostly cheers - and some boos - from the  New York crowd. How do you think Yankee fans will welcome Nick Swisher back?