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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Mustache Day Dugout

Happy Birthday to Lou Brock.

Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 09:57 AM | 43 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: dugout

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1. tribefan Posted: June 18, 2009 at 11:56 AM (#3223210)

The best baseball mustaches, at least per Maxim magazine.

2. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 01:28 PM (#3223265)

I saw a guy my age last night with a handlebar mustache. I thought it was awesome.

3. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 01:49 PM (#3223291)

BTW, I've been titling the Dugouts lately by looking at TDiBH in the BR Bullpen and seeing what catches my eye. As a kid I read a book by Michael Korda called Power. He disdained mustaches; calling them a compromise between shaving and growing a beard. Some folks irrationally think they are a sign of untrustworthiess. College football coaches, who have to recruit, rarely wear them while NFL coaches do (they don't have time during their 23.5 hour workday to finish shaving.) For the record, I don't wear one. My facial hair doesn't grow in well enough.

4. Bob Dernier Cri

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 02:02 PM (#3223313)

Some folks irrationally think they are a sign of untrustworthiess

Oddly enough, when I was a kid, the most famous mustaches belonged to Walt Disney and Walter Cronkite, both of whom we trusted with our entire beings.

At one point in the 1960s, every ballplayer must have been clean-shaven, and then a few years later everyone seemed to have a mustache. Who was the actual first player of that era to wear one? Were several of the Finley A's tied for first one spring?

I wore a mustache when I was in high school and those A's were in the World Series every year, but as soon as I graduated I grew a full beard and have rarely shaved since.

5. salvomania Posted: June 18, 2009 at 02:38 PM (#3223367)

Reggie Jackson was one of the first, if not the first...

EDIT: According to SABR, Dick Allen, with the Cardinals, and Felipe Alou, with the A's, were the first two, in 1970.

6. esseff Posted: June 18, 2009 at 02:40 PM (#3223370)

Reggie Jackson and Dick Allen are among the earliest of '70s mustache wearers.

7. tribefan Posted: June 18, 2009 at 02:52 PM (#3223382)

No stache, but some nice sideburns.

8. aleskel

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 02:57 PM (#3223390)

Who was the actual first player of that era to wear one? Were several of the Finley A's tied for first one spring?

Finley paid his entire team to grow 'staches one season (1972?)

9. PreservedFish Posted: June 18, 2009 at 03:03 PM (#3223401)

I saw a guy my age last night with a handlebar mustache. I thought it was awesome.

In San Francisco the ironic mustache became very popular probably 4-5 years ago - now I see hipsters with mustaches (handlebar and otherwise) so frequently that I don't understand if it's supposed to be ironic anymore or what.

10. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 03:06 PM (#3223404)

Ironic mustache? I think I know what that means, but I'm not sure. I'm guessing that wearing something ironically means that it is so out of style, that it is in style.

11. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 03:10 PM (#3223407)

Oh, and certain personalities are more likely to make ironic fashion statements than others.

12. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: June 18, 2009 at 03:15 PM (#3223411)

From a recent Rollie Fingers interview @ brewerfan.net:

In '72, Reggie Jackson came to spring camp with facial hair... it was bad, guys kept telling him to shave, but he said no. So, myself, Catfish Hunter, Darold Knowles... a bunch of the pitchers, decided to grow facial hair, because then we figured Dick Williams would have no choice – he'd have to tell all of us to shave.

When Finley saw it, he decided it would be good for some publicity, so he offered every player a $300 bonus if they had a mustache on Opening Day. $300 was a week's salary then, I think some of those guys would have grown a mustache on their ass for three hundred.

13. bunyon Posted: June 18, 2009 at 03:16 PM (#3223412)

I don't understand mustaches or goatees. Either shave or don't. I wear a beard because I hate to shave. Given that, I don't trim it every day, either. A good trim on the weekend and it's fine. If I could easily and cheaply prevent facial hair from growing, I'd be cool with that, too.

14. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: June 18, 2009 at 03:23 PM (#3223422)

I've had frequently had beards and goatees - strictly for the convenience factor (I don't mind shaving, it's just time consuming and mornings are difficult for me) - a goatee is a decent compromise in that it's doesn't take *that* long to keep it tidy, relative to the whole face. I prefer being clean shaven, though...

15. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 03:34 PM (#3223445)

If I could easily and cheaply prevent facial hair from growing, I'd be cool with that, too.

Should have had my genes. I still have to shave 3 or 4 times a week, but I don't have to every morning. This means I can't express myself with facial hair, but so be it. Sideburns don't even come in too well.

16. jwb Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:13 PM (#3223671)

Stupid Canadian (Austalian and New Zealander, as well, I guess) question: In the U.S., one runs for political office. In the U.K., one stands for political office. What does one do in Canada (or Australia or New Zealand or any other English speaking place which someone has knowledge of)?

There are no stupid questions, only imbecilic questioners.

I like the idea of sauntering for office, but I don't imagine anybody does that.

17. RJ in TO Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:18 PM (#3223678)

Stupid Canadian (Austalian and New Zealander, as well, I guess) question: In the U.S., one runs for political office. In the U.K., one stands for political office. What does one do in Canada (or Australia or New Zealand or any other English speaking place which someone has knowledge of)?

For Canada, I've always heard it as "runs for office." The experiences of others may differ.

18. SoSH U at work Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:18 PM (#3223680)

I don't understand mustaches or goatees. Either shave or don't. I wear a beard because I hate to shave. Given that, I don't trim it every day, either. A good trim on the weekend and it's fine. If I could easily and cheaply prevent facial hair from growing, I'd be cool with that, too.

I shave about once every five days. I should shave once every three, but I really hate shaving, and knew I would hate it before I even did it.

Haven't combed my hair in 20 years either.

19. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:19 PM (#3223683)

I don't understand mustaches or goatees. Either shave or don't. I wear a beard because I hate to shave.

I suspect it may be one of those things people do because they think it looks good.

20. RB in NYC (Now with New iPhone!) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:22 PM (#3223686)

I had a terrible little chin thing for a while. That was a bad decision. I probably shave thrice a week, otherwise I start to look somewhat rapist-like.

I believe it is in Ball Four where Jim Bouton quotes someone--Elston Howard, maybe?--that reporting from Spring Training meant shaving off your sideburns, cutting your hair, etc. like reporting for boot camp.

21. bunyon Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:22 PM (#3223687)

I shave about once every five days. I should shave once every three, but I really hate shaving, and knew I would hate it before I even did it.

Haven't combed my hair in 20 years either.

Hmm. Perhaps there is truth to the whole "Mom's basement" thing. We don't seem to be a well-groomed group.

22. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:26 PM (#3223692)

I don't grow much facial hair. I shave once a week tops, but I'm usually much lazier than that.

23. Biff isn't really an apt handle anymore Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:26 PM (#3223693)

And dammit, I don't live in the basement, I still have my own bedroom upstairs!

24. villainx Posted: June 18, 2009 at 06:51 PM (#3223722)

Is this Lounge or Dugout again?

25. bunyon Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:10 PM (#3223746)

Have you been in a real dugout? This is just about the level of conversation.

26. RJ in TO Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:18 PM (#3223756)

Have you been in a real dugout? This is just about the level of conversation.

I doubt it. There hasn't been any good profanity, and no one has mentioned anything about boobs.

27. o_dawg Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:18 PM (#3223757)

I'll second Ryan, it's "runs for office" in Canada, in both parts, Center and West :). I've never heard anybody says "stands".
Oh, and if it's a survey, I've had a goatee for six years, but need to shave every day (I'll take the weekend off if I can, it's easier on my skin).

28. RJ in TO Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:24 PM (#3223765)

I've never heard anybody says "stands".

Of course you haven't. That's because no politician stands for anything.

29. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:34 PM (#3223786)

Is this Lounge or Dugout again?

This is my fault, I'm sort of a Loungey guy. We could talk about Mel Hall or Muhammad Ali.

30. Rants Mulliniks (formerly Cold Prosimian) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:41 PM (#3223797)

I had an 1880's railroad tycoon beard several years ago, it was pretty cool. For the last few years I've had a Don Cherry-style goatee (although I had mine before him). I just hate shaving my chin and upper lip. I don't mind shaving my cheeks or throat too much.

31. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:42 PM (#3223799)

This is my fault, I'm sort of a Loungey guy.

Pish posh. Keep the dugout alive by any means necessary. Else, I'll have to resort to minor league updates to bump the page along (has anyone seen how badly James Skelton is hitting this year? He's slugging .234 in AA.)

32. Randy Jones

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:44 PM (#3223805)

I just hate shaving my chin and upper lip. I don't mind shaving my cheeks or throat too much.

I had a goatee for a while for the same reasons. Then I decided to just grow the whole thing out since my facial hair grows so fast that I need to shave about every 4-5 hours or it looks like I haven't shaved in days. Now I just have to trim my beard once a week, infinitely easier.

33. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:44 PM (#3223806)

I like Tiboreau's ramblings about some guy in the West Texas League and his stats.

34. Sexy Lizard Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:50 PM (#3223814)

My facial hair is thick and patchy, meaning I shave every morning or else become Mr. Mange Man.

Haven't combed my hair in 20 years either.

Hmm. Perhaps there is truth to the whole "Mom's basement" thing. We don't seem to be a well-groomed group.

I haven't combed my hair in 12 years, but that's because looks better that way. My hair is naturally Byronic.

35. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:52 PM (#3223820)

I had a goatee for a while for the same reasons. Then I decided to just grow the whole thing out since my facial hair grows so fast that I need to shave about every 4-5 hours or it looks like I haven't shaved in days.

I get a two-o'clock shadow, so I can identify. That said, after about - oh - two months or so with a beard, I'm ready to rip it out (itchy!). Also, my facial hair has a lot of pepper in it now, which my, er, head hair doesn't. Adding a beard makes me look ten years older, which I'll pass on.

I like Tiboreau's ramblings about some guy in the West Texas League and his stats.

Me too. More please.

Oh, and Josh Collmenter.

36. Good cripple hitter Posted: June 18, 2009 at 07:57 PM (#3223832)

I don't have a better place for this comment, but last night I was playing the DS version of MLB Power Pros 2008, and I discovered that it features the least impressive All Star teams in video game history. Josh Willingham, Justin Upton (with terrible stats), Pat Burrell, Brandon Lyon, Ryan Franklin, and Scott Schoeneweis are all on the NL squad, and Derrek Lee is the default starter over Pujols. The AL squad has Giambi as its only 1B, Wang as its default starter, and AJ Pierzynski as its back-up catcher. Worse, you can't edit the all star teams for no apparent reason.

Some of those I could understand, but I can't understand Schoeneweis unless it involved a Phillies fan working on the localization team.

37. esseff Posted: June 18, 2009 at 08:12 PM (#3223868)

I think this is common knowledge, but just to enter it into the record . . . Frenchy Bordagaray is said to be the only mustachioed major leaguer between the turn of the (19th to 20th) century era, when mustaches were in fashion, until the A's brought them back. Not having been around for much of that time, I couldn't say for certain that not one other player wore a mustache in a major league game during that period.

38. esseff Posted: June 18, 2009 at 08:18 PM (#3223882)

And a couple of interesting back-to-back plays from today's Palm Beach-Tampa second game, as reported by milb.com:

-- Damon Sublett singles on a ground ball to center fielder Thomas Pham, deflected by first baseman Curt Smith. Walter Ibarra to 3rd.
-- With Brandon Laird batting, Walter Ibarra caught stealing home, pitcher Jorge Rondon to first baseman Curt Smith to shortstop Domnit Bolivar to first baseman Curt Smith to catcher Paul Vazquez, Damon Sublett to 2nd.

The latter play no doubt involved the runner from third breaking for home during the rundown that ensued when his teammate was picked off first. The ball deflected by the first baseman to the center fielder takes more imagination.

39. villainx Posted: June 18, 2009 at 08:24 PM (#3223891)

(has anyone seen how badly James Skelton is hitting this year? He's slugging .234 in AA.)

I hope his AA league host mostly pitcher's park then.

40. a bebop a rebop Posted: June 18, 2009 at 08:28 PM (#3223901)

Also, my facial hair has a lot of pepper in it now, which my, er, head hair doesn't. Adding a beard makes me look ten years older, which I'll pass on.

Shouldn't that be salt?

41. villainx Posted: June 18, 2009 at 08:33 PM (#3223911)

White pepper?

42. Randy Jones

Posted: June 18, 2009 at 08:36 PM (#3223919)

Shouldn't that be salt?

Maybe he's an albino and started growing black hairs in his beard?

43. Der_K is feeling better now. Posted: June 19, 2009 at 03:15 AM (#3224450)

Yes, white pepper. And also a mollusk.
[Thank you, I did meant salt.]

The ball deflected by the first baseman to the center fielder takes more imagination.
I've seen Curt Smith field - there's no telling what he did.

Shawn Estes retired.

I hope his AA league host mostly pitcher's park then.

On the bright side, it is. But, yeah... not good.

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Mustache Day Dugout

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