I’ve had first base on my mind as of late, due mainly to the recent passing of Mickey Vernon, the best first baseman this town’s ever seen. Mickey died last month at the age of 90, and up until the final week of his life, was as vital and robust as anyone 30 or more years younger. He set the bar very high for the first basemen that followed him in Washington, and if there’s any justice in the world, he’ll get the nod this December when the Veteran’s Committee of the Hall of Fame announces their vote.
Flashing back to last winter, we were all encouraged by the reports of Nick Johnson’s recovery from the broken leg he suffered in a collision with Austin Kearns in 2006. Nick was having a career year at the time, with 23 home runs and 77 RBI, and getting the job done around the bag. After a year of rehab, he returned, and started the ‘08 season as a regular, driving in the first run at Nationals Park. The injury bug bit him again, however, when he tore a ligament in his wrist, and was disabled for the year after just 38 games. He was only hitting .220 at the time, but his other numbers projected to a 20 home run, 80 RBI season, which couldn’t have hurt.
Johnson’s 2007 replacement at first base, Dmitri Young, was all the Nats could have hoped for. Despite dealing with diabetes, Young batted .320 — ninth in the league — and was the NL Comeback Player of the Year. He had some complications from the disease that ended up curtailing his 2008 season, but still managed to hit .280 in 50 games with an on-base percentage of nearly .400 before going back on the DL.
So, can the Nationals afford to head into 2009 with the same tandem at first? Based on recent history, I think not. True, they have a guaranteed $10 million total invested in Nick and Dmitri next year, but this club’s lack of offense would seem to dictate them looking around for alternatives.
Here’s a suggestion: the White Sox’ Nick Swisher. An Ohio State product and former first round pick of the A’s, Swisher was acquired by the Sox last winter, but ended up on the bench after the acquisition of Ken Griffey. Swisher plays first and the outfield, he’s a switch hitter, and is coming off a year where he batted only .219. His other numbers, though, are pretty good: he walked 82 times, and hit 24 home runs with 69 RBI in fewer than 500 at bats. Plus, there’s salary certainty, since he’s signed through 2011 with a club option for 2012, at what seems like reasonable money. He’s also semi-local — a West Virginia native — and has a strong track record of community involvement (check out his Web site www.nickswisher.net).
The last first baseman-outfielder from Ohio State to wear a Washington uniform was a gentleman named Frank Howard, and that worked out pretty well. We’d all love to see Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young return to health and everyday status as productive ballplayers, but wishing won’t make it so. They need to deal with it proactively.
Phil Wood is a contributor to Nats Xtra on MASN. Contact him at [email protected].
