Yankees fan-favorite Nick Swisher reveals the only Red Sox he ever hated

Former New York Yankees player Nick Swisher dished on the one Red Sox player he liked the least. 

The flame of the Boston Red Sox–New York Yankees rivalry has been flickering weakly over the last few years, but former Yankee Nick Swisher just spilled a little tea on what the rivalry was like back in his playing days.

According to Swisher, being part of the rivalry was the crème de la crème of competition:

"“When you’re playing, you’ve got this big chip on your shoulder. It’s you against them, and it’s so competitive, and it’s an alpha-driven sport and the whole 9, and everyone’s trying to show who’s tougher and who’s stronger.”"

He also dished about which Red Sox player he really didn’t like when they faced off back in the day: John Lackey.

"“I would say, if there was one person that I didn’t get along with in Boston, it was John Lackey, bro. We didn’t get along well at all.”"

Lackey pitched for the Red Sox from 2010-2014 and helped them win the 2013 World Series. Swisher joined the Yankees just in time for their most recent championship in 2009, and played in pinstripes for four seasons.

The Yankees and Red Sox play each other 19 times per season, so Swisher and Lackey faced off a considerable amount. Over 24 plate appearances against Lackey between 2009-2014, Swisher hit .238/.333/.381 with a .714 OPS and only one extra-base hit. Not hard to see why Swisher wasn’t a fan of the man on the mound.

Yankees-Red Sox rivalry doesn’t mean as much after a player retires

However, like many retired players from both sides of the rivalry, time (and retirement) are healing. David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez pal around all postseason on FOX Sports, and Swisher says he’d have only nice things to say to Lackey now:

"“Now that I’m retired, if I saw him walking down the street, I’d say, ‘You were awesome, bro. I loved our battles. What an awesome career you had.’ Because, when you’re done, you’re like, I don’t need to be that guy. I’m just trying to be the best version of myself everyday.”"

Today, Swisher is a Girl Dad to two who describes himself as a total “softie,” far from the tough competitive spirit he displayed in his playing days. On November 24, he and his wife Joanna are hosting the McAlister’s Holiday Hosting Hotline from 4:30-6:30 PM ET so hosts and hostesses who want to do the most can call in to get advice on how to host the perfect holiday soirée. It’s a fitting role for the retired ballplayer, as holiday hosting is a competition in itself.

Yankees champion Nick Swisher spoke with FanSided on behalf of McAlister’s Deli