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After 12 seasons, MLB outfielder Nick Swisher announces retirement

By Noah Strackbein

Mar 21, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Nick Swisher (23) sits on the ground after stretching to catch a throw from shortstop Erick Aybar (1) during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Nick Swisher (23) sits on the ground after stretching to catch a throw from shortstop Erick Aybar (1) during the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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After 12 seasons in MLB, 36-year-old outfielder Nick Swisher announces he is retiring.

In a post for The Players Tribune, Nick Swisher says he’s leaving baseball to join FOX Sports as a studio analyst. After 12 seasons in the majors playing for five different clubs, Swisher says, “The Dream is Over, Baby!”

The former first-round pick for the Oakland A’s out of Ohio State, Swisher became known for his switch hitting and top-tier out fielding. Finishing his career with 1,338 hits and a .351 on-base percentage, Swisher made his mark for the A’s, White Sox, Yankees, Indians and Braves.

Throughout his career, Swisher was included in three trades, hitting his stride in New York for his peak between 2010-2012. Compiling 570 hits and a .367 OBP in four years for the Yankees, the 32-year-old landed himself a four-year, $56 million deal with the Cleveland Indians after declining his qualifying offer.

After an injury-filled season in 2014, ending in double knee surgery, Swisher was traded to the Atlanta Braves. With some light coming in 2015, Swisher found his MLB career coming to an end early in 2016. After a minor league run for the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders, he hasn’t touched an MLB field since.

Swisher played in 1,527 games throughout his career, with a .249 average and .447 slugging percentage. With his sole All-Star appearance coming in 2010, this outfielder will forever be known for his character on and off the field.

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Now, Swisher says he wants to become a stay at home dad. “Maybe I’ll buy a school bus and drive all the kids in the neighborhood to school,” Swisher wrote. “I don’t know. I’m not ruling anything out.”

No one will forget Swisher’s wit and charm, and he should be able to turn that into a successful career as a studio analyst. With 12 MLB years behind him, baseball fans everywhere are wishing Swisher the best of luck in his next chapter.

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