Thursday's home finale turned out to be a historic day both on and off the field for the New York Mets.
On the field, R.A. Dickey claimed his milestone victory in their 6-5 defeat of the Pirates, becoming the first knuckleballer since Joe Niekro in 1980 to win 20 games. That's a really big deal and a great accomplishment to be sure, but a bigger deal to those who love and cherish iconic facial hair happened before the game when legendary first baseman-turned-color analyst, Keith Hernandez, parted ways with his well-groomed mustache of 25 years.
The ceremonial shaving took place outside the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field and was attended by hundreds according to Newsday. And, as you'd expect, the event was motivated by a terrific cause as Hernandez, the Mets, and the folks at Schick Hydro — who provided the razor and barber — donated $10,000 to the Jacquelyn Hernandez Adult Day Health Center in Brooklyn, which aids Alzheimer's patients and is named for Hernandez's mother.
Before settling into the barber chair, Hernandez joked that it felt like he was heading to guillotine. The experience would prove to be much more positive than that, but I'm sure it still had to be somewhat difficult to part with a mustache that was named the best in sports history by The American Mustache Institute back in 2007.
"I want to thank all my fans who supported my mustache over the years, but it's time for it to take a backseat and give my upper lip some time to shine," Hernandez said.
And shine it did as it received its first exposure to sunlight since 1987.
Also, with that quote, I'm sure Keith Hernandez's long neglected, pasty white upper lip will soon be joining us in the Twitterverse.
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