FUNNY GUYS ARE

When I found this picture of an old-time baseball player, I thought about facial hair. It seems that baseball players have often sported some kind of visible hair on their faces. Maybe because their hair is covered by a baseball cap. Which I have always believed led to the baldness that many display at a young age.

With today's style of shaving the noggin, it may be more difficult to discern styling from balding but generally a close examination will reveal slickness vs barrenness. So just maybe historically they wanted to show some kind of hair.

Certainly this year's and last year's Cardinal pitchers have quite a collective crop. Unless you look at their names on the backs of the uniforms or spot a number on the front, you might not be able to tell which pitcher was summoned from the bullpen to put out a fire. They're clones, at least facially. Only closer Ryan Franklin has a distinctive look with a goatee that does look very goat-like.

I never remember my brother ever sporting any kind of facial hair. So he doesn't like mine. Most of my adult life I've had some kind of hair growing on my face. Mutton chops in college. Moustache for several years. Beard for a few cold Winters. Fu Manchu for a few more. Full goatee with 'stache for awhile. Today, chin whiskers, not a lot, maybe a little like the new American Idol whose name I've already forgotten.

With plenty of hair on my head and owning only one baseball hat I bought in the Dominican Republic, I guess I can't use that excuse that I expressed earlier. I guess I'll have to rely on the old coach Red Eldridge when chastised by a fellow teacher for growing a full beard. "I'm trying to improve my looks and hide some of my ugliness. You must be proud of your ugliness."

They weer never very close after that. But I've found that there are guys who are funny about facial hair. They've either had some or not. If they've had some, then it's ok. If not, then they don't want to see it on anybody. Maybe tattoos are like that, too.