Guest Written by Brad Walchuk (@bwalchuk)
A little while back, Nick Dika wrote one of those much-needed articles that are a pleasant distraction as a roller-coaster season feels like it’s getting away from you: a look at some of the finest facial hair in Blue Jays history. Of course, it was the mustaches – those of Jack Morris, Rance Muliniks, and Travis Snider (yeeesh!) – that were the real standouts. Sadly, Nick missed perhaps the best mustache (and facial hair more generally) in Jays history, Jack Murphy.
Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nick was technically correct in his omission, as Jack Murphy, born John Joseph Murphy, topped out at AAA (14 appearances with Buffalo in 2013 and 2014) and never suited up for the Jays. But ol’ Jack’s mustache got me thinking about the potentially impressive collection of minor league facial hair in the Blue Jays system. With hundreds of players in the minor league system each year, there are bound to be a few omissions on this list too, but the 2017 crop of Jays’ minor leaguer players features some major league mustaches.
Let’s begin with 2017 draftee (and recent signee) Brock Lundquist, who is now suiting up for the Vancouver Canadians. Lundquist comes to the Jays from the Long Beach State 49ers, known colloquially as the Dirt Bags, which, surprisingly, is a not a reference to Lundquist’s facial hair. His Rollie Fingers-esque handle bar mustache is good enough to top our list.
Photo Credit: Nick Procaylo-Postmedia News
Brock’s teammate in Vancouver (though pictured last year in Bluefield), pitcher Kyle Weatherly, has sported an impressive ‘stache in the past. The combination of the mustache alongside the glasses is reminiscent of facial hair legend Rance Mulliniks.
Photo Credit: MiLB
Up a level in Lansing, outfielder Nick Sinay has been spotted rocking a legendary fu Manchu, which, when you are on the disabled list, helps to keep you relevant in online chatter. We agree with pitcher Mike Ellenbest, this is a good-looking mustache.
Photo Credit: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler
At the AA level, Sean-Reid Foley, the Blue Jays 1st overall prospect prior to the season according to Baseball Prospectus, has an understated 80s’ mustache, one reminiscent of your uncle (likely named George), and not necessarily a kid born in 1995. Don’t look so blue Sean, you’ve made it (to our list at least).
Photo Credit: Thomas Roy-Union Leader
Though released in 2015, Griffin Murphy (no relation to Jack), sported a Lundquist-like handle bar mustache for much of his tenure with the Blue Jays, and in light of his career numbers, this will be one of the few ‘top anything’ lists he’s featured on.
Photo Credit: Jays Prospects
Fun piece.
Sorry to be that guy, but Nick Sinay’s moustache isn’t a Fu Manchu. A Fu Manchu grows from the corners of the mouth and then hangs loosely down the sides from there. You can see from the photo that his facial hair is attached to his face all the way down. That makes it a horseshoe moustache, also known as a biker ‘stache, made famous for people of my generation by Hulk Hogan.
A Fu Manchu is much harder to grow – you’ll almost never see one in real life.