Home Run Derby

Back in February, we mentioned that Nick Swisher had gained a bunch of muscle in the offseason … and at the same time had gained a bunch of hair …

Well yesterday - Swish got clipped. The Hair was cut before Saturday’s game against the Giants. Swisher was growing the hair in order to honor his late grandmother, who passed away from cancer in August 2005. He donated 11 inches of hair to the Women’s Cancer Research Fund - an organization which makes real hair wigs for women with cancer.

But those sideburns and goatee are hideous. I’m surprised UmpBump hasn’t added Swisher to their ever growing list of Unfortunate Facial Hair.

Because this has a Samson and Delilah theme all over it … we’re going to track Swisher’s stats before and after the haircut …

• Pre Haircut: Batting .290 and slugging .500 with 6 HR.
• Post Haircut: One Game - 0 for 3 with 2 Walks. Hmmm. Not a good start.

Playing the role of Delilah for this post is Swisher’s girlfriend, former Raiderette and FHM and Playboy Model Danielle Gamba. I wonder if she likes Swisher’s new look?

Let’s see, thanks to Carlos Pena, Matt Stairs, Bill Hall, Damion Easley, Carlos Beltran, Mark Teahen, Gary Matthews Jr. (twice), Shea Hillenbrand, Michael Napoli, Brad Wilkerson, Hank Blalock, Ian Kinsler, N Cruz, Eric Chavez, Milton Bradley, Jack Cust, Bobby Crosby, Orlando Hudson, Scott Hairston, Freddy Lewis, Jeff Kent, Ken Griffey Jr., Magglio Ordonez, Michael Redmond, Michael Cuddyer, and Torii Hunter (twice) …

Home Run Derby has donated $280 to the Susan G Komen For The Cure Foundation.

Dear Homerderby.com,

I would like to thank you for your contribution of $280.00 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Your support helps Komen the Cure fulfill our promise to save lives and end breast cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

Since its inception in 1982, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has made great strides in the fight against breast cancer, funding groundbreaking breast cancer research, much of which has led to landmark discoveries in the quest to find a cure for and eventually prevent breast cancer. In addition to funding research, Komen works to increase breast cancer awareness and promote early detection through events like the Komen Race for the Cure Series. Proceeds from such events help fund community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects for the medically underserved.

Again, thank you for your assistance and your confidence in our efforts. The success of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is made possible through the very generous contributions of corporations, organizations and individuals like yourself. Because of you, we are one step closer to finding a cure.

Once again, thank you for your support.

For all you other ballplayers who couldn’t leave the yard and the pitchers who didn’t groove them something to hit, I’m very disappointed in you in not making this donation larger. Go auction your bats or something.

As many of you know, Baseball Musings joined Home Run Derby in this $10 per Home Run pledge, and lo and behold, David beat me to posting about it this morning. Thanks to Baseball Musings for the matching grant.

As a Mothers Day Gift to my wife, Home Run Derby is going to be real quiet this weekend. She’s ecstatic.

Check back on Monday to see how many Home Runs were hit on Mothers Day and consequently, how much scratch Home Run Derby will be donating to the Susan G Komen Foundation ($10 for each Home Run).

The Derby Standings have been updated. Last update till Monday.

Have a great weekend!

If you’ve perused Home Run Derby, especially the Baseball Cheerleader posts, you’ll know that we’re big fans of the female form around here.

That’s why Home Run Derby is pledging $10 to the Susan G Komen Foundation for the Cure Foundation for every Home Run hit in MLB this Sunday (May 13, 2007 - Mother’s Day) in conjunction with the Return of the Pink Bats to Major League Baseball to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

An estimated 178,480 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2007 alone. While that statistic has been reduced over the past few years due to the work of organizations like the Komen Foundation, it’s still too many wives, moms, girlfriends, sisters, and daughters who are affected by this disease.

Baseball Musings has joined our Home Run Pledge. You can help the cause by donating at The Komen Foundation’s website.

I hope they’re swinging for the fences this Sunday.