Yankees' Swisher hoping to end October slump

MINNEAPOLIS - Nick Swisher enjoyed being a World Series champion last year as much as any Yankee. But there was something nagging him after the whole wild ride: His .128 batting average in the 2009 postseason.

"Obviously, that's in the back of my mind, no doubt," the rightfielder said last night at Target Field on the eve of Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Twins.

"But this year is a lot different for me. I think the regular season has shown that. So for me, I've just got to go out there and keep doing what I've done. The one thing I've tried to preach all year to myself is just be consistent. Stay consistent with what you're doing. I think I've done a pretty good job of that."

What Swisher has done after an offseason of working with hitting coach Kevin Long is become a better offensive player. Long regarded as a low-average, high on-base percentage guy, Swisher hit a career-best .288 this season (vs. .249 in his first season as a Yankee and .219 the year before).

Throw in 33 doubles, 29 home runs and 89 RBIs and the Yankees got a player who they hope will be better equipped to face the tougher pitching in the postseason.

"I think it's more the mental side than anything," Swisher said. "I think this regular season has proven to me that I am capable of doing things I know I can."

Swisher was so messed up in the playoffs last year that he didn't start Game 2 of the World Series and was replaced by journeyman Jerry Hairston Jr.

"I just think I was so bad last year in the postseason," said Swisher, who had only six hits in 47 at-bats. "I just got off to a bad start and it was kind of like being in quicksand. The harder I was trying to get out of it, the worse I was doing. Tony Dungy once said, 'The less you do, the more you get.' So I think that's maybe for me, man."

Unfortunately for Swisher, he's not a stranger to poor postseasons. In 71 at-bats in six October series with the A's, White Sox and Yankees, he has only 11 hits. That's a .155 average.

But it doesn't mean he's not expecting to turn it around.

"This is going to be a blast," he said. "I'm excited. I'm already smiling and we ain't even playing until tomorrow."