Former New York Yankees slugger Nick Swisher is in Iowa for only a few days to participate in Home Run Derby X at Principal Park on Aug. 30. But Swisher has already been in the state long enough to understand its biggest rivalry and which side he stands on.
Swisher, when meeting with reporters at Principal Park on Aug. 29, pledged his continued allegiance to the Big Ten Conference and promptly picked the Iowa Hawkeyes to beat the Iowa State Cyclones in their annual matchup in football on Sept. 6 at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
New York Yankees team member Nick Swisher is introduced before the MLB Home Run Derby X event at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
“The Big Ten is where I kind of live,” said Swisher, who played baseball at Ohio State. “That’s kind of where I got my start. So I’m a very loyal guy. So, I’m definitely going Iowa over Iowa State. I’m going to say 35-27.”
Advertisement
More: Former MLB stars coming to Des Moines to participate in Home Run Derby X
Swisher played 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Yankees, Athletics, Indians, White Sox and Braves, crushing 245 home runs. After four seasons with the Yankees battling the Red Sox, Swisher knows a thing or two about rivalries.
He’s right in the middle of it again with Home Run Derby X featuring players from the Cubs, Cardinals, Red Sox and Yankees. Swisher is part of a Yankees squad that faces nemesis Manny Ramirez and Jonny Gomes from Boston.
When talking about the rivalry that the touring event has with players from the iconic franchises participating, Swisher quickly brought up the upcoming Cy-Hawk football game.
Advertisement
“Everybody loves the Cubs up here and everybody doesn’t like the Cardinals up here,” Swisher said. “So, I think just in general, the fact that we’re able to kind of bring those rivalries into our game is amazing because if you like the sport or not, you appreciate rivalries. I think everybody does. If I’m not mistaken, not this weekend but next weekend is a huge Iowa-Iowa State game.”
Swisher was then asked for his pick. He firmly got behind the Hawkeyes, a Big Ten counterpart of his old school.
“I’m a Big Ten guy,” Swisher said. “I’m going with Iowa all day. Yeah baby. Hands down. No doubt. I’m a Big Ten guy.”
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ex-Yankees slugger Nick Swisher picks winner of Cy-Hawk football game