SHE SAID: Yankee Haircuts

The best Yankees are remembered for their play on the field. A select
few became notorious for things they did off the field. And another
select group will be remembered for something else – their hair
styles. Say what you want, guy or girl, you want your hair to look
good. If that wasn’t true for men, why would so many buy Rogaine?
That being said, let’s revisit some of my personal favorites…..

Flashbacks: As much as you want to deny it, at one point in time all
the cool kids had these styles

1. A-Rod’s Frosted Tips: Boys, please do not even try to deny it –
frosted tips were cool. Think back to the early days of the boy band
resurgence if you need to jog your memory, or better yet – get out your
middle school yearbook. In the 1990s, boys and men alike flocked to
salons to get the look – tips whiter than the rest of your hair gelled
to perfection with Deep Extreme Hold. As much as one may want to deny
it, this was cool. But back to the case in point: A-Rod. According
to a New York Post Article (I know, it’s not the Times – but there is
pictorial evidence to prove these claims), A-Rod was seen in a New
York saloon getting his tips frosted for the 2008 farewell to the old
stadium. Yes, you read that right, I said 2008, not 1988, or even
1998. Less than 1 year ago, long after this trend went down in
flames. Sometimes, just when I want to try to embrace A-Rod, I am
reminded of things such as these. For the rest of you, just a
reminder, this trend is definitely no longer in style, no matter what
A-Rod is doing. Frosted tips today screams I am extremely feminine,
have a terrible sense of style, and may be trying to relive my glory
days.

2. The Fade, As Worn by my favorite, Derek Jeter: First of all, I
would like to state for the record, I love, love, love Derek Jeter.
Even if Derek Jeter got frosted tips, I would still love Derek Jeter.
And if anyone can rock the fade and still look good, that would be you
Derek. That being said….Derek; you could use a new hairstyle. Jeter
sports what is popularly referred to as “The Fade.” If you haven't seen Derek without a hat recently, let me refresh your memory. The fade is a haircut
in which the sides are kept very short and the top is somewhat longer
and flat to the head (for those of you who would like to know more, a
hi-top fade is when the hair on top is longer vs. a low-top fade in
which the hair is cropped closer to the head). The fade is similar to
its brother haircut, the flat top. I am told that this style was also
once popular circa Doug E. Fresh and Public Enemy. Seeing as I was
approximately 3 at the time this style was gaining popularity, I am
going to take people’s word for it. However, I think it is a safe
bet to say this style, like the frosted tips, should be retired.
Derek, no hard feelings, call me. I would like to also add in Derek’s
defense, this style is extremely practical for an athlete, which by
default, makes it more acceptable than frosted tips. I would also
like to give an honorable mention to Moose Skowron who wore a style I
feel may well have pre-dated the flat top, which helped to popularize
the fade. I am not sure how to best refer to Moose’s style, so I will
keep pondering that and get back to you.

3. Boys with long hair, aka pre-Yankee Johnny D: Boys with long hair
was another style I remember well from my middle school days. This
style does not need nearly as much explanation as the previous 2, nor
does it required nearly as much work to style and maintain. In fact,
it is quite the opposite, which may be why this style had so much
appeal to boys and men alike. While, I prefer men to have shorter
hair than mine, scratch that, much shorter hair than mine, I do not
find this trend particularly offensive and I feel it is here to stay,
going in and out of style. We all remember caveman Johnny, as I like
to reference him. Come on you remember, we probably all hated him
because he played for the most repulsive team in baseball, the Boston
Red Sox. And we all know why the hair had to say good bye when he
game to our glorious team. While I do not like long hair, Johnny is a
good looking guy and still looked good with his long hair. I also
hate to admit, it looked very shiny and thick making girls nationwide
envious.

While, the list goes on and on, I would like to conclude by calling
attention to two more Yankees who lead the Facial Hair category in my
opinion. I will keep this short and sweet. Disclaimer: I am not so
much a fan of facial hair, but will give credit where credit is due.

1. Goose Gossage – This needs no explanation, has anyone ever seen
such a beautiful moustache? If so, I would love to see pictures.
He is 58 years old and it still looks marvelous.

2. Donnie Baseball – If you do not remember Donnie’s ‘stache, please
do not even call yourself a Yankee fan. Donnie wore what is now
referred to as a creepy porn ‘stache, but remember, he wore it in the
80s when it was cool, not creepy.