Fans Upset Over Nick Swisher's Smile

As many already know, there is an uproar in Yankee land over first baseman/right fielder Nick Swisher. Apparently, Swisher was brought into last nights game with the Tampa Bay Rays as a reliever in a 15-5 game. Though reports vary, most first hand accounts agree that Nick Swisher did the unthinkable: he smiled on the mound.

"I was there." Began Mark, a Yankee fan who was present at the game in Tampa. "I saw the whole thing." Mark paused collecting his thoughts. "It all began when they called Nick Swisher to pitch the 9th inning. I was thinking 'why are they calling him in?' Then it all started happening. Nick Swisher was standing on the mound smiling. I think I even saw him enjoying himself. I could not believe it. I thought to myself 'I can't be seeing this.' but there he was, smiling. Like an animal."

Mark was not alone in his disgust for Nick Swisher's smile.

"This is the sort of thing that will ruin baseball." Said one Yankee fan familiar with the incident. "I mean, how can we expect kids to want to play baseball, when their supposed role models are standing on the mound smiling and having fun? I mean did you see him? He was throwing pitches and smiling like this was some sort of game."

Many New York Yankee fans agreed as many chose to skip work in order to spend their day calling New York radio stations to complain about the situation.

"Nick Swisher is not a Yankee." Claimed one concerned caller. "Who does he think he is smiling in a game we're losing? I've never smiled in a baseball game. Even ones we win. Smiling is for special occasions like weddings and meeting Derek Jeter. But baseball? There's no smiling in baseball. Sheer stoicism is the only way to enjoy the great American pastime."

Despite the heavy clamor, some fans did not feel slighted by the smile.

"I don't know, I guess I just didn't feel insulted by it." Claimed one Yankee fan who witnessed the incident through their TV in their living room. "Yeah, we were losing, but we were going to lose anyway, so why not at least have some fun?"

But Mark does not see things this way.

"Look, if you want to have some fun, go do a crossword puzzle. Baseball isn't meant for fun. You don't see me walking into board meetings at work smiling, so why are baseball players smiling on the field? It makes no sense."

As of the press deadline Nick Swisher has yet to offer an apology or issue a statement concerning the smile. Messages left with his agents were not returned. Reports have confirmed that Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez has offered the services of his crisis management team to Swisher, but it is unclear whether he has accepted the offer. For now Yankee fans can only wait for Swisher's prepared apology. Keep waiting.