Nick Swisher

In April 2006, two American League first basemen, both in their second year in the Show, had similar smokin'-hot starts:

Player A 

10 homers, knocked in 24 runs, a .313 average and a .404 on-base percentage.

Player B 

10 dingers and supported a .404 OBP, with 20 RBI and batting .326.

Early Wednesday afternoon, while many people were celebrating Cinco De Mayo by pounding down Corona's, New York Yankee outfielder Nick Swisher was pounding this second inning pitch for a solo home run.

It was Swisher's fifth home run of the year and his 17th RBI.

Nick is slashing .295 BA/.380 OBP/.547 SLG/.927 OPS right now.

You may be saying what is the big deal. Swisher was slashing .312/.430/.714/1.144 OPS at the end of April last season, but went into a big funk and ended up with a .249/.371/.498/.869 OPS.

The New York Yankees had started the season red hot but have cooled down as of late. Losers of four of their last five, the Yankees now sit 2.5 games back of AL East leading Tampa Bay. I decided to look back at the past five games and try to find a common theme.

Well, I found one at it was right at the top. The top of the batting order that is. The top four spots in the Yankees batting order have not had much success at all the past five games. These are the guys expected to carry the club and provide most of the pop.

The New York Yankees have one player, Nick Swisher, who can play at least three positions; right field, first base, and pitcher.

Last night offered an opportunity for him to be used in the last role, after he was successful in his debut almost a year ago against the same Tampa Bay Rays, pitching one full inning of scoreless ball.

When the Yankees traded for Nick Swisher in the offseason prior to last season, I was almost irrationally excited. I knew that they probably got good value for a player who had a down season in 2008, and I was skeptical that he could play 1B full time (which was how his role was spun before the Teixeira signing).

But my irrational excitement was not caused by any value assessment, but by a much more ludicrous desire: After a decade of waiting, the Yankees had their very own meat grinder. I saw his fan-favorite status coming a mile away.

With the dust still settling from the acquisition of Curtis Granderson in New York, the Yankees have some decisions to make about their 2010 outfield.

What happens to Melky Cabrera? Do they entertain the idea of bringing back Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui? Are they done adding outfielders?

This might be the perfect time for the Chicago Cubs to give the Bronx Bombers a call and ask about Nick Swisher's availability.

The 2009 New York Yankees will be remembered for the following: World Series Champions, Alex Rodriguez’s steroid controversy, and the $423 million in salary for their newest recruits, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett.

The most underrated signing on this champion roster is that of Nick Swisher.

Swisher brought back the swagger that the late '90s, early millennium Yankee squads had, but had been missing for some time.

Let me startout by stating that I cannot stand the New York Yankees for the life of me, but there is one player that I will cheer for to have success. That player is Nick Swisher because he's everything a major league player should be.

Swisher will never be one of the higher paid baseball players, but he'll always be the one having the most fun. His personality and the way he treats fans is refreshing especially for an athlete.

Nick Swisher heard MVP chants early in the season, when he recorded 13 hits, 10 of which were extra-base hits, in his first 10 games.

The fact that Swisher's career batting average was .243 meant nothing to Yankee fans, who began talking about how the trade for the former Ohio State Buckeye would make the Yankees' season. As Borat would say, "Ehh not so much!"

He looks like a 30 year old league softball player from the Midwest. He has that John Kruk, Lenny Dykstra look about him. The kind of guy millions of American guys can relate to. That is part of what makes him so popular.

He is Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher, a 29 year old switch hitting first baseman/ outfielder for the New York Yankees.

Nick was born in Columbus, Ohio and was raised in Parkersburg, West Virginia.