CINCINNATI - Trains in Huntington, mustaches in Cincinnati. The old-time mustache theme of Cincinnati's All-Star Game has been a hit, although an unusual one, considering the history of the Cincinnati Reds.
Artistic mustaches of various colors and designs were displayed on street corners, in public squares, outside Great American Ball Park and in Northern Kentucky as part of All-Star festivities in a similar manner to how trains are featured on street corners in Huntington.
The theme harkens to the 1869 Reds, baseball's first professional franchise, and it's mustache-wearing players led by captain George Wright.
"The mustache theme is catchy especially since it has been popular in many areas and crosses over to the Mr. Redlegs mustache," Reds fan Holly Litteral of Huntington said.
The Reds officially banned facial hair from 1966 to 1999, when outfielder Greg Vaughn sported a goatee. Vaughn later said he regretted breaking tradition. Even mascot Mr. Redlegs had the 'stache removed from his baseball head during the hair ban.
The official ban was handed down by general manager Bob Howsam, who wanted the team to project a wholesome image during the turbulent 1960s. Unofficially, though, the ban was much longer. Outfielder Dummy Hoy in 1902 was the last Red authorized to have whiskers until Vaughn.
The policy was widely accepted by players, but cost the Reds two pitchers.
Relief ace Rollie Fingers was offered a contract by the Reds in 1986, but declined rather than shave the most famous handlebar mustache in the history of sports. Another reliever, Jim Kern, asked to be traded in 1982. To speed up the process, Kern began growing a beard. Soon after, the Reds dealt Kern to the Chicago White Sox.
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