OAKLAND, Calif. -- Steve Swisher lived millions of fathers'
dreams Saturday night when he chopped off his son's unruly long
hair -- and Nick Swisher let it happen for charity.
Swisher
The Oakland Athletics outfielder had his locks snipped behind
home plate about 45 minutes before a game against the San Francisco
Giants. His father, a former big league catcher, wielded the
scissors, removing three large ponytails made from the hair that
fell to Swisher's shoulders while thousands of fans cheered.
Swisher's hair will be used to create a wig for cancer patients
by a women's cancer research fund. Swisher's grandmother, Betty,
died of brain cancer in 2005.
"This is a really great thing they're doing," said Swisher,
who hadn't cut his hair for at least 10 months. "I think my dad
was the one who's most excited for me to cut my hair. As long as I
can make a difference in people's lives, it's great."
Swisher's appearance wasn't completely conventional afterward:
The eccentric outfielder's sideburns and goatee still were shaved
into creative patterns.
Swisher entered the game batting .290 with six homers and 21
RBIs.