Today this blog will honor two great American traditions; baseball and mustaches. Our panel of experts has convened to name the all time all mustache team:
First Base: Eddie Murray
In his 20 year career from 1977-1997, Eddie Murray played two separate stints with the Dodgers and Orioles, and also played for the Mets, Indians, and Angels. Murray is one of four players in MLB history to reach 500 home runs and 3,000 hits, and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2003.
Second Base: Bob Grich
Bob Grich played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1970-76, and for the California Angels from 1977-1986. During this career, he won four Gold Gloves, and represented the American League in the All Star game six times.
Short Stop: Robin Yount
Robin Yount spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1974-1993. In addition to having a truly iconic mustache, Yount collected 3,000 hits and was twice awarded the American League MVP. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Third Base: Mike Schmidt
The most obvious selection to this team, Mike Schmidt was simply the greatest third baseman of all time, in addition to having a mustache. Schmidt played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972-1989 and holds a multitude of team records. Schmidt won 3 National League MVP awards, 10 Gold Gloves, and a World Series MVP in 1980. His 548 career home runs are 15th on the all time standings and 9th among those not suspected of steroid use. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Catcher: Thurman Munson
Thurman Munson was a popular leader of the New York Yankees in his 11 year career for the team which was cut short by his tragic death in a plane crash in 1979. Munson was the first Yankee since Lou Gherig to be named team captain, and led the team to two championships. He was a seven time all star, a 3 time Gold Glove winner, and a strong challenge to Robin Yount for the best mustache in the group.
Right Field: Reggie Jackson
In his career with the Yankees, Angles, A's, and Orioles from 1967-1987, Reggie Jackson became known as "Mr. October" for his clutch postseason performances. Jackson certainly lived up to his nickname; he won the World Series five times and was twice voted World Series MVP. Jackson was also a 70's style icon, partly due to his mustache. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Center Field: Amos Otis
Amos Otis was a star center fielder for the Kansas City Royals from 1970-1983. He was traded to the Royals after beginning his career with the New York Mets, one of the many bad decisions made by the Mets' management. Otis was a 5 time All Star and a three time Gold Glove winner.
Left Field: Willie Stargell
Few baseball fans may remember a time when the Pittsburgh Pirates were good, but there actually were some successful Pirates teams during Willie Stargell's long career with the team from 1962-1982. Stargell led the Pirates to two championships, was a 7 time All Star, and the National League MVP in 1979. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Starting Pitcher: Randy Johnson
Johnson is known for being one of the all time greatest left handed starters, and for being one of the few players brave enough to have both a mustache and a mullet. Johnson is a 10 time All Star and a 5 time Cy Young award winner. He won his 300th game shortly before his retirement in 2009, and will surely be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Relief Pitcher: Dennis Eckersley
This team would not be complete without paying homage to perhaps the most well known and respected mustache in baseball history, that of Dennis Eckersley. Eckersley, the first modern closer, revolutionized relief pitching and amassed 390 career saves. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2004. Depsite his many successes, Eckersley is perhaps bet remembered for the famour home run he gave up to Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series.
In his 20 year career from 1977-1997, Eddie Murray played two separate stints with the Dodgers and Orioles, and also played for the Mets, Indians, and Angels. Murray is one of four players in MLB history to reach 500 home runs and 3,000 hits, and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2003.
Bob Grich played for the Baltimore Orioles from 1970-76, and for the California Angels from 1977-1986. During this career, he won four Gold Gloves, and represented the American League in the All Star game six times.
Robin Yount spent his entire career with the Milwaukee Brewers from 1974-1993. In addition to having a truly iconic mustache, Yount collected 3,000 hits and was twice awarded the American League MVP. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.
The most obvious selection to this team, Mike Schmidt was simply the greatest third baseman of all time, in addition to having a mustache. Schmidt played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972-1989 and holds a multitude of team records. Schmidt won 3 National League MVP awards, 10 Gold Gloves, and a World Series MVP in 1980. His 548 career home runs are 15th on the all time standings and 9th among those not suspected of steroid use. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Thurman Munson was a popular leader of the New York Yankees in his 11 year career for the team which was cut short by his tragic death in a plane crash in 1979. Munson was the first Yankee since Lou Gherig to be named team captain, and led the team to two championships. He was a seven time all star, a 3 time Gold Glove winner, and a strong challenge to Robin Yount for the best mustache in the group.
In his career with the Yankees, Angles, A's, and Orioles from 1967-1987, Reggie Jackson became known as "Mr. October" for his clutch postseason performances. Jackson certainly lived up to his nickname; he won the World Series five times and was twice voted World Series MVP. Jackson was also a 70's style icon, partly due to his mustache. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Amos Otis was a star center fielder for the Kansas City Royals from 1970-1983. He was traded to the Royals after beginning his career with the New York Mets, one of the many bad decisions made by the Mets' management. Otis was a 5 time All Star and a three time Gold Glove winner.
Few baseball fans may remember a time when the Pittsburgh Pirates were good, but there actually were some successful Pirates teams during Willie Stargell's long career with the team from 1962-1982. Stargell led the Pirates to two championships, was a 7 time All Star, and the National League MVP in 1979. He was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Johnson is known for being one of the all time greatest left handed starters, and for being one of the few players brave enough to have both a mustache and a mullet. Johnson is a 10 time All Star and a 5 time Cy Young award winner. He won his 300th game shortly before his retirement in 2009, and will surely be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
This team would not be complete without paying homage to perhaps the most well known and respected mustache in baseball history, that of Dennis Eckersley. Eckersley, the first modern closer, revolutionized relief pitching and amassed 390 career saves. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2004. Depsite his many successes, Eckersley is perhaps bet remembered for the famour home run he gave up to Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series.
