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Swisher's father appreciates milestone hit

Swisher's father appreciates milestone hit

NEW YORK -- Nick Swisher's cell phone buzzed as the Yankees' team bus was rumbling back to the Bronx this weekend. He answered and heard his father, Steve, congratulate him on his 1,000th career hit.

Swisher logged the milestone knock on Saturday in the Bombers' 4-3 victory over the Mets at Citi Field, punching a run-scoring double to right field that fell in front of Lucas Duda.

"Me and my dad, man, we're like this," Swisher said, pressing his fingers together. "To be able to have a dad who understands the game, played the game and knows how hard that is -- even though 1,000 hits isn't a lot of hits -- to have him see that, my wife, [JoAnna], was there; it's just fun."

Swisher's father, Steve, played nine seasons in the big leagues with the Cubs, Cardinals and Padres from 1974-82. The fact that Duda misplayed the ball off the bat didn't diminish the feat for Swisher, who said he might remember it differently than the replays anyway.

"Laser beam down the right-field line, off the wall, a stand-up double," Swisher said.

As much as Swisher enjoyed his 1,000th hit, No. 1,001 might have been more notable. Swisher's three-run homer in Sunday's 6-5 Yankees win was the big blow off knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.

"Way better; that was such a fun series," Swisher said. "The series got spiced up a little bit [by Frank Francisco's 'chicken' comments], and to be able to be part of that and have fun was awesome. I love that stuff. I don't take anything too serious.

"My crack yesterday about 'not bad for a bunch of chickens,' you've got to back your organization. You've got to stand up for what you believe in, and I believe in every guy in this room."