So I’ve noticed that the wild beards, mustaches, and long hair are returning to the front lines in baseball, not only during the back-end of the season, but starting as early as Spring training. Over the years we’ve seen plenty of creative, as well as cockamamie styles of facial hair.
But even though the roots of beards, no pun intended go as far back as the male species, I feel I have to, as my duty, let all the San Francisco fans know Brian Wilson did not create the beard, although he did take it to a level many aren’t fond of, and also point out the team that changed the facial hair game many years ago: The Oakland Athletics.
Specifically the 1972 team that knocked off, one of the many clean-shaven teams of that time, the Cincinnati Reds. During that season, the A’s had “Mustache Day”, and the manager, Charles O. Finley, said he’d give a bonus to any player who grew a mustache by Father’s Day. By the time that promotion hit, every player received a bonus.
The champion Oakland Athletics set the style, and now the trend is toward hair-and more hair-among major league baseball players.” – AP, April 2, 1973
This brings me to my next point, there have been some wicked do’s in the league since, but, still the A’s hold the key it seems, to the “legendary” title. The Rollie Fingers being the most prestigious along with Eckersley and others – hell, even Goose Gossage came to play with the A’s, probably just so he could fall in line with the other Oakland members before him to sport the facial hair.
Although newcomer John Jaso recently shaved what could have been a top 10 beard of 2013, I’m sure this A’s team will have no shortage, with Coco growing his out and Jordan Norberto’s beastly do possibly set to make a prime time comeback, along with the staples, Josh Reddick and lumberjack Derek Norris. I even heard Jarrod Parker gained a couple strands this off-season, so I’m psyched to see that.
nfavila91's Blog 
Leave a comment