I Brought Nick Swisher to Cleveland

Dear Readers,

I would like to say sorry to each and every one of you for not posting a blog in a very long time. Just to give everyone an update on my life, I have a lot of great news. I graduated from Kent State in August and found a job in my field.

I am making local commercial cable TV spots and I enjoy my job very much. Unfortunately, unlike my college days, I donot have as much time to post blogs like I used to.

It is my New Years Resolution to post my light hearted baseball blogs about the Cleveland Indians 2013 campaign, starting in February.

As you may already know, a lot has happened with the Tribe since the last time you heard from me. Basically, the Tribe's second half meltdown in 2012 lead to a franchise facelift.

It all started with the firing of Manny Acta, a manager that has NEVER had a winning record (which includes the minors) and lead to a God send being hired; Terry Francona.

Then the Dolans traded Shin Soo Choo to the Reds. Some fans were very upset but that is only because they didn't understand the situation behind the trade. Choo's agent is a man by the name of Scott Boris.

Boris is the Satan of Major League Baseball, he will sell your soul. No matter which city you play for, if Boris is your agent, you will NOT be returning there at the end of your contract. The Indians were fully aware of the situation, and honestly, came out winning with what we got for Choo.

In the three team trade with the Reds and the Diamond Backs, The Tribe received young pitcher, Trevor Bauer, from Arizona, left fielder, Drew Stubbs, from the Reds, and two other bullpen pitchers. This trade could be straight up highway robbery for us. Choo wasn't going to sign with Cleveland and we got some
talent in return.

Now since Choo was traded, who was going to play right field? Well ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, get ready for the most amazing news yet. I, Adam C. Gockowski, brought Nick Swisher to the Cleveland Indians.

I know that everyone that is reading this blog must think I'm crazy. No, I did not pay the man 54 million dollars. No, I did not get dinner with him, Francona, and
Shapiro at Lola's on East 4th. No, I did not have lunch with him and Jim Tressel.

I didn't give him the tour of the Jake (yes, the Jake) or put his picture on the scoreboard. What exactly did I do then? I planted the seed and gave him the idea to join the Tribe.

It all started on October 18th, Game 4 of the 2012 ALCS. Swisher was at bat and I was looking at Twitter (@Foulpoles11) on my phone. I have always liked Swisher
because he is a great player, a fan's player, a philanthropist, a rock star, and a cool guy overall. So, I decided to have some fun and Tweet him.

"Welcome back to Ohio! We are gonna love having you play for the Indians! Go Tribe!" said @FoulPoles11.

A few days past and I got notification on Twitter. The notification said only 4 simple words; Nick Swisher followed you. I was amazed because that would have meant that he 100% read my tweet. There is no way he didn't read my Tweet. Of course, I screen shot all of this and posted it on Facebook & Twitter because I
wanted the World to know that I tweeted Swisher and he followed me. I knew
right then and there that this was going to get interesting.

The day that Swisher followed me, I told my dad that Swisher was going to be a
Cleveland Indian in 2013. He right away asked me where I came up with that and
I explained that I tweeted him & he followed me.

My father looked me in the eyes and told me that I was nuts. I looked back and said that we will have to wait & see.

Everyone that told that story to said that the Dolans were never going to pay the man. I couldn't tell you how many times that I heard that Swisher was going to sign for checks that the Tribe can't cash. Everyone thought that he was going to sign with a big market team and Cleveland had no shot at all.

Two months after I first Tweeted him, on the 23rd of December, the Indians & Swisher agreed on terms. 54 Million dollars for 4 years, the largest free agent
contract in team history. Trust me, I went online and gave everyone the old
"I TOLD YOU SO!"

Just like I said in my blog titled "Cleveland Indians: 2016 World Series Champions," the Tribe couldn't sign big until some of the awful past contracts ended. With signing of Swisher & Francona, we started signing winners and not washed up Johnny Damon like players. Swisher isn't the only addition to this team, don't forget about Mark Reynolds and a few others.

Yes, we still are a few players away, but I truly think that we will be seeing a start of great summers in Cleveland.