by Nick Swisher, the Yankees’ eighth representative at the 2010 All-Star festivities in Anaheim, bowed out in the first round of the Home Run Derby competition.
Batting left-handed and sporting a comically skewed cap, Swisher launched four home runs. He finished third in the American League bracket after winning the fan balloting for the final spot on the All-Star team. Boston’s David Ortiz beat Hanley Ramirez of Florida in the final.
“I’m by far the smallest dude in this competition. I just want to have some fun with this and represent New York the right way,” Swisher said before the Derby.
With Yankees bench coach Tony Pena pitching to him and a litany of All-Star teammates rooting him on, Swisher blasted an impressive 440-foot homer before recording five consecutive outs.
The first-time All-Star is enjoying a career season for the Yankees. He has 15 home runs, 55 runs, 94 hits, a .294 average and a .901 OPS.
Anthony Federico covers all levels of the game for Baseball Digest and Gotham Baseball. He is the author of “Must Be Nice” – a novel about the glory of beer-league softball. Check out www.mustbenicebook.com for more info or follow him on Twitter @AntFeds
