Please patronize our advertisers to help
keep theOzone.net free for everyone.

The-Ozone.net Mall

Interesting, Fun companies with interesting, quality products - and the-Ozone gets a piece of the action!

Share |

Baseball
Former Buckeye Nick Swisher Remembers His Roots in a Serious Way
Big Leaguer Makes Big League Donation to Buckeye Baseball
By John Porentas

Former OSU baseball player and current New York Yankee outfielder Nick Swisher has donated 500,000 dollars to the OSU Department of Athletics for the installation of a synthetic playing surface at Bill Davis Stadium.

As an outfielder/first baseman for the Scarlet and Gray (2000-02), Swisher was named 2000 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and twice received first team All-Big Ten accolades in his career.

Nick Swisher in his days as a Buckeye.

Selected by the Oakland Athletics with the 16th overall pick of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft, Swisher would also spend time with the White Sox before heading to his current home with the New York Yankees where he was a part of the 2009 World Champion team and named an American League All-Star the following season. In his professional career, the Columbus native has seen action in 1,061 games and has amassed 185 home runs.

During his OSU playing career Swisher was a fiery competitor who was driven to be the best he could be in an effort to help his team win. A switch hitter, Swisher hit one of the longest homeruns in Bill Davis Stadium history when he hit one high off the scoreboard. Glass flew out of the scoreboard when the ball crashed into it, evoking images of the movie The Natural.

Former Buckeye Nick Swisher chats with Jessica Weihrauch at the ceremony recognizing his donation. (3:40)

Swisher was honored for his donation at a ceremony at Bill Davis Stadium yesterday. In his remarks, Swisher commented that 'We've been Omaha-bound for a long time. Hopefully this will help us to finally get there."

Despite his success at the major league level Swisher has remained very connected to Ohio State sports. His generous donation to the OSU baseball program he loves reflects his wish to help it succeed on the field, but beyond that, reflects Swisher's attitude toward giving back to those who have helped him achieve in life and to live his life in the best way possible. He currently heads up a charitable effort called "Swishes Wishes" dedicated to enriching lives and lifting the spirits of children who are facing vital health issues while providing care, comfort and support through the most difficult of times.

Joanna Garcia Swisher and Jessica Weihrauch discuss life with Nick Swisher.

In recognition of his donation, the field at Bill Davis Stadium has been renamed Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium. A permanent banner on the center field wall was unveiled at the ceremony displaying the name.

On hand for the ceremony were hundreds of well-wishers including Swisher's parents and wife Joanna Garcia, a successful actress.

Donate by Check :

Ozone Communications
1380 King Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43212

Help us bring you more Buckeye coverage. Donate to the-Ozone.

Click here to email this the-Ozone feature to a friend...or even a foe.

(c) 2010 The O-Zone, O-Zone Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, rebroadcast,rewritten, or redistributed.