Clubhouse fun

Nick Swisher, the confident A's rookie, seems to attract his share of verbal abuse and taunts in the clubhouse. Swisher has the long hair and close-cropped sideburns. In the old days, this wouldn't cut it for a rookie. Rookies were supposed to be quiet and respect the veterans. Not anymore. Swisher patrols the clubhouse like a man who's been around, which is perfectly OK. He has the minor league credentials to back up his bravado. His demeanor is infectious. On Wednesday morning, there were several copies of Sports Weekly in the clubhouse. Swisher was on the cover. He knew it might be a long day. And he fun was just beginning. Swisher was hearing about it from teammates almost instantly. Then Charles Thomas, a young, friendly outfielder the A's acquired from the Atlanta Braves, emerged in the clubhouse with the Sports Weekly cover taped to the front of his jersey. Swisher had signed the copy. This is the kind of clubhouse tomfoolery that gets beat writers_ and the players, of course _ through the long days of spring training. ... Swisher was hitting .111 before Tuesday's game before going 3-for-4. He admitted he had been pressing. He's seemed much looser since then.