Friday, February 5, 1999

Drop the hair ban

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        Comments from readers who want the Reds to drop their ban on facial hair:

Cincinnati has always been a city of tradition, but what better time to make a change then the end of the century. Besides, the gotee-ed Vaughn and Mark McGwire combined for 120 home runs last year, almost the entire Reds' total for 1998!

Brian Buckley, Lafayette, IN

Most of the other goofy Reds traditions have gone by the wayside over the past 10 years. It wasn't all that long ago that Reds players all had to wear black shoes with no logos, but time stands still for no swoosh. Mark Buerger, Lexington, KY, (Edgewood, KY native)

I'm a huge Reds fan and have been for years. I just moved back to Ohio from So Cal and I know what Greg Vaughn can do. I saw a few Reds/Padres games last year. If the Reds let him keep his goatee, I promise to buy two of the Reds season ticket packages.

Bryan Hall

The only limitation on Greg Vaughn's goatee should be if it grows so long it gets in the way of his bat when he swings it.

Dale Holste, Union Twp, Clermont County

Personally I think Greg Vaughn looks sexy with his goatee.

Telisa Vernon, Walnut Hills

If the Reds really want to keep Greg Vaughn happy to potentially sign him to a long term contract, they might as well start by letting him keep his goatee. I would personally have a problem, however, if they allowed earrings or other body piercing, for example.

Peter Neefus

It is time to drop a policy with its roots in the sixties and conceived because it was supposed to convey the wrong image (i.e., hippies, drugs, etc) to our youth. If it makes them happy, then maybe it will make them better ball players!!!

Steven Essig, Boca Raton, Florida

Wake up Cincy and look at the date it's 1999, HELLO !!!! Is there anybody in there? Why is facial hair even an issue of discussion?

Former Cincinnatian, Jim Favret, Lawrenceville, GA.

A rule more outdated than the stadium they play in. Appearance has less to do with the games performance and more to do with personal expression of ones self. If you want to make the Reds look more attractive ??? Try spending the training time and money for players who can win games or atlest make the games more exciting.

Alisa

Why doesn't Marge let it up to the fans! I for one think Vaughn looks GREAT with his facial hair. Wake up Marge and let the fans vote on it.

Joyce Beckstedt

Mr. Running Red had a mustache for YEARS! Still got my Mr. Red Bobbing Head WITH the mustache, too.

Jeff Johnson

Yes, Vaughn should keep his facial hair, it's not his chin that's smacking the ball.

Kent Murrell, Colerain Township

Having a beard, mustache or goatee doesn't make a player a negative influence on kids, or ruin the family atmosphere. Lots of young fathers have facial hair these days and baseball would be hard pressed to find a better role-model than Mark McGwire, goatee or not. I will always remember McGwire sweeping his son up into his arms after hitting his record breaking home run. The goatee didn't take a thing away from that moment.

Jerry Weller Florissant, MO

The Reds have already set a precedent by breaking a tradition even longer-running than the facial hair policy.....the addition of a color (black) to the red & white. Before this season, the Reds color palette consisted of red & white only (minus a few crazy blue years). Now the road has been paved for the facial hair policy to fall as well. Let's make certain the relationship with Vaughn gets off to a good start. Let him keep the goatee.

Mike Swainey, Cincinnati

As a sign for support, every male in Cincinnati should start growing a goatee - and that includes Paul Daugherty.

Greg Koch, Reds fan currently living in Chicago, Grew up in Anderson Township

Let them all grow hair, if they want. Who are we to control that?? Maybe they should all look like Z Z Top! Or maybe handlebar mustaches... oh, wait a minute... that's been done! Ruth from Norwood

I still will not go to a game until baseball puts Pete Rose back in baseball and eventually the Hall of Fame where he belongs. I also want the Reds to drop the facial hair policy. These things would completely restore my eagerness to go to a game.

Herb Alderson, Odon, Indiana

I think he should be allowed to keep his beard as long as he keeps it trimmed. Here's hoping for a decent season!

Norb Siska, Albuquerque, NM

Even P & G employees don't wear suits everyday anymore.

Tom Curran, Union Twp., Clermont County

Seems to me that not many fans stayed away from Busch Stadium last year when another goatee- wearing individual put on the show of a lifetime. I even think a few fans showed up at Cinergy Field last year when the Cards came to town. Those that stayed away.....well, obviously, it was because of facial hair.

Ron Pelle - Clearwater, FL

I'm happy to see Greg Vaughn in a Reds uniform. And if it will help his mental outlook, let him keep the goatee.

Mark Rea, Killeen, Texas

Let's get rid of the facial hair policy. It seems as though it has been alleviated a bit in recent years anyway, so let's just let the guys "put their game faces on" and forget about the ridiculous notion that beards mean you are a hippy or something. I've played ball for years and you want to look tough sometimes on the field- sometimes you want to change your personality and what better way to do that than to create a different image for your opponents to see. Pyschology 101! The players will be more apt to be themselves meaning they will be happy, relaxed and hopefully - WINNERS!

Richard Stemann, New Orleans

I'm as conservative as they come, a button-down lawyer, etc., but I thought the Reds' no facial hair policy was silly even in the 1970's-I wish the Reds had have had Rollie Fingers. Now,the no facial hair policy is simply stupid-particularly for a 50 home run hitter. Randall L. Trautwein, Huntington, WV

I say let Vaughn keep the beard. we need him just the way he was last year including the 50 HR! If Jesus wanted to play for the Reds with a beard do you think we would let him?

Randy DeWalt

Good thing that St. Louis didn't have a ridiculous "no-facial hair" rule. It's time for Cincinnati to join the rest of the world.

J Diesman in Hawaii

Once again the Reds absurd facial hair policy will be challenged with the addition of Vaughn and his "evil" goatee. What a joke! The Reds need to do away with this policy that limits the teams talent and even worse makes us look like even more of a goof-ball organization. I think if the rights steps are taken (Marge out, facial hair in, competitive season), the Reds can really clean up their image in 1999. And bring back the mascot with the baseball head.

Jason Scott

Greg's Goatee has to stay on the man ! How about handlebar moustaches?! Go Reds!

Steve Davisson, Harrison, Ohio

There is no reason to keep the " no facial hair " tradition. A tradition should serve some purpose and this does not.

Marty Due...ElkGrove, CA

Vaughn should keep his goatee. Ever heard of that Sampson story?

Kristin Kelly Conners

I don't see what it matters as long as the players beards are neatly groomed. I say do away with it.

Brent Holste, Amelia, Oh

I feel the players should be able to wear facial hair. between the greed of the ownwes and players there is no more tradition. Let them have hair!

Evan Thurman

Baseball players in Cincinnati are not in the military, so why should they have to adhere to a more restrictive shaving code than anyone in the military? Besides did anyone in the front office of the Reds ever hear of the shaving rash that is common to African Americans and other persons? It can be damaging for our skin to shave so frequently. Pseudo folliculitis barbae is the name for this painful rash caused from forcing the curly hair back into the skin through close shaving. Right on with freedom in the grooming of the ballplayers! Now, how about a winning team?

HHawkinsjr

The Reds should get into the 20th century and let the guys have facial hair if they want. It's like the Reds were in the 19th century and we are approaching the 21st. Can you imagine any other club rejecting players because they wear a mustache? In some families, it's family tradition. I hope with the selling of Marge Schott's shares of the limited partnership, this silly rule goes with her.

Ron Fleshman, Rainelle, WV

This isn't High School baseball. These are grown men. Let them wear facial hair!

Dawn Segrist, Dallas, TX (Orginally from Cincinnati and a long time Reds fan.)

As long as the players keep their facial hair respectable and clean, I see no one having a problem with this. Besides, that part of the contract was made, uhhh how long ago? Step into the 21st Century here, people.

Melissa - Cincinnati, OH

I'd rather have a team that goes to the World Series instead of a team that looks clean-cut. They're being paid for their ability that got them there.

Kevin A. Maddock, Fairfield, OH

If the goatee helps Vaughn make them ALL grow one !!!!

Larry DiOirio, Nashville, Tenn.

We're entering the 21st century, it about time the Reds enter the 20th.

BigUKFan

Greg Vaughn should be aloud to keep his goatee. The reds need to move out of the sixties and into the ninties.

Jason, Western Hills

Let them grow any thing on their faces they want! Until Jim Bowden pulled off "The Trade", about the only thing we could expect to see on a face in Cinergy was a frown and pimples (Pimples being on the youth moment of players we were expecting to have to watch). Promise to Marge, if we invade Vietnam again, the whole city will shave!! Note, only one team in the last 23 years has won a World Series with all players clean shaven ( and was Tom Browning ever clean shaven?)

Scott Wells - Cincinnati Native - Chicago resident

Where I live now we will take 50 dingers and he can wear a skirt (must be in style). Marge, live with it for a year then sell your shares and let baseball people run the club. I left Harrison, Ohio in 1977 now I live in Overland Park,Kansas...Royals. Muzzy. society now is supportive of facial hair. you see ministers,teachers,coaches, and politicians with it lets eliminate this policy and play ball.

DAVE WALLER

I've been a Reds fan since 1953. My verdict has always been give us a winner, and the hair will take care of itself. Looks to me like Greg Vaughn is a very articulate individual and personal hygeine is not a problem. In cases like this, and for this and other reasons that the players wear the beards etc in a responsible manner, and the Captain Barry Larkin would be the police.

Dave Mayenschein,

Canton, Ohio I say give it up Redlegs. Although I live in S. Fla., I grew up a Red's fan because my grandparents lived in Madiera. I am still a Red's fan and feel their hair policy is archaic. In this day and age it is tough enough for a small market team to compete without making themselves more unattractive by mandating an appearance policy that is out of step with modern tastes. Dropping the ban against facial hair would be a great way to usher in the new millennium.

J.T. Frost, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The facial hair ban is a policy that needs to end! The policy of no facial hair is rooted in the idea of presenting a good clean positive image, family values, living life "the right way" and good clean living. We as Cincinnati Red's sports fans have spent the last several years overlooking these positive mantra's while trying to cope with Marge Schotte's embarrassing racial and ethnic comments. Marge's feelings on these matters are arguably deep rooted from within. I live my own life trying to instill in my three children the importance of these strong core values and living life "the right way." I have made a point of emphasizing that a persons appearance does not necessarily represent the type of human being they may be inside. Looking different is not a reason to judge someone differently! If only Marge und Facial hair does not make the man. If so, try to convince me that Mark McGwire's awesome baseball power and truly humane acts of kindness are somehow diminished by his having a goatee. It is time we understand and show our children that a positive image is judged from the inside - out and not from the outside - in.

Steven Upton, New Richmond, Ohio

Yes. But continue to ban jewelry. Big league baseball is not a fashion show. Also, there should be limits to facial hair and scalp hair disallowing long hair whatsoever.

Dave Rader

I vote yes on allowing facial hair, but I think the hair length should be limited to an inch or two, no long, shaggy beards flowing in the breeze.

Margaret Stokley

The ban on facial hair is a signal to the rest of the world that the Reds are stuck in the 1950s. Get rid of the ban. It was dumb in the 70s and even dumber today.

Patricia tennant

Yes they need to adjust the policy. Is to ok to have 3 foot long facial hair, no I do not think so... but some compromise should occur.

David Flautt

This policy of the Reds no longer serves a purpose. If the decision rests with Marge Schott, then I have no doubt that Vaughn should begin his search for a Gillette Sensor.

Don McIntosh, Crescent Springs, KY

Does Cinergy or Cinti Bell or Proctor & Gamble, etc. have such a rule?? The Reds problems are not related to this rule. Get rid of the rule.

jrwilson

It's time for Marge to let the whiskers back into Cincinnati baseball.

Jim Jackson, Columbus

I have a goatee and I have turned down job offers because they told me I would have to shave it. Get with the times Cincy! Greg, if they won't let you keep the goatee ask for a trade. It would serve Cincy right for being so stupid about such an inconsequencial thing as facial hair. Also, as long as we're going to get rid of the facial hair rule, can we get rid of Marge as well?

Brad Stewart, Jackson's Gap, AL

The argument of it being a tradition doesnt hold any water and really is a myth considering the relative time the policy has been in effect when compared to the long history of the Reds franchise. Let's dig up some old photos of the Reds from the early 1900's and see how many had moustaches. There's the real tradition.

Bryan Simpson

What is more important? An old policy or a 50-homerun hitter?

Aaron Wright, Cincinnati

I think the Reds should DEFINITELY lift the ban on facial hair!!!! It allows guys to express themselves physically through their appreance and give more life to their personalities. We haven't had the true characters since the Nasty Boys, and this will loosen guys up. Besides, it could make some guys look a little intimidating as well!! The Reds look stale without the hair, and if it helps Vaughn out mentally, I'm all for it!! GO REDS!!!

Mark Neal, Lexington, KY

Times change and so should this ban. If Vaughn can get 100 RBIs this year who cares how much hair is on his face!

LT George Moody, USN

I've been a Reds fan since 1960 when I was growing up in Omaha. I support a neat, clean look... which includes neatly trimmed mustaches and beards. I think Vaughn's look is fine. Even Mr.. Red used to have a mustache. I still do!

Mike Bendon

There is no reason for the Reds to ban facial hair anymore. It is no longer considered rebellious. Society, as a whole, has accepted that facial hair is common at this time. It seems very narrow-minded and stubborn to hang onto a rule that is so obviously outdated. The Reds are really starting to take form. Why distract from this by focusing on somebody's whiskers?

Aaron Welch, Cincinnati

I have long found the ban INSULTING, since I've sported a beard for over 25 years. My five brothers, and two brothers-in-law all have some facial hair (beard, moustache, or goatee). I've long felt the ban was antiquated, dating from an era when management feared unkempt hippies playing for this conservative city's ball team. But today (and for a long time now), facial hair has been very common in all circles of life. Last year, the overwhelming majority of players who came to the Reds in trades had facial hair. It's silly. It's time to end it.

Joe Metz

I don't see any problem with facial hair on a baseball player as long as it doesn't get out of hand. I think that facial hair and the hair under the cap should be kept short and neat though. A few baseball players do have hair that seems a little long to me and at times it does make them look a little rough around the edges and unprofessional, but I don't think that anyone has the right to say my way or the highway about it. It's time for a change Reds!

Victoria Wentworth, Norwood

If the Reds are concerned about someone resembling "Sasquatch" suiting up, modify the clause so that the CEO (the "acting" CEO....the one with a brain, John Allen) would rule on the individual players particular look if there was any confusion. The Reds, (and this entire community for that matter), NEED to disassociate themselves from anything resembling intolerance, whether it be racial, facial, baggy pants, or otherwise. I don't think Donald Harvey or Jeffrey Dahlmer had facial hair....did they?

Kevin, Middletown, Ohio

Randy Johnson, Mo Vaughn, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Ken Caminiti, Larry Walker(if you've seen him lately), Henry Rodriguez; That is the the short list of players that, if available, would possibly choose to play elsewhere and keep their facial hair. Do the math. This rule is stupid, period.

Brian Franklin, Bond Hill

There's nothing wrong with facial hair as long as it is groomed properly. If you've notice over the last few years guys like Barry Larkin & Hal Morris would come to the park with thick scruff which looks sloppy. I guess they were trying to push the envelope.

Jeff Eve - Clifton

When it comes to the Reds it's time for some new traditions. Adding black to the uniforms was a great step forward. Now that they don't look like peppermint candy anymore, it is time to move forward even farther.

Jeff Sevier, Symmes Township

Goatees are part of the youth movement in America -- and frankly they look cool. Can you imagine Mark McGwire without one? Eeek.

Justin Merry

Let it go. Besides, one can argue that it "attractiveness" is a key, then there should be a ban on shaved heads.

Kevin Z. Smith, Oxford

its time for players to stop thinking cincinnati is the last place they want to be. i can understand that no self respecting football would want to come to town; just look at the bengals. but the reds stilll have a strong history to look back on. players may still want to have a career here, but lately with naegle (sp?) trade and the stuff he said, it time to look at how the players see the organization, and the city. if getting rid of a outdated rule like no facial hair would help the image of a team strugleing with just that, then i say, let it grow!

dave fermann, vail, co, (originally from anderson twp, st. x grad)

actually its very simple...Greg Vaughn can keep his goatee merely by refusing to shave it...Is Cincinnati not going to let him play? Would the fans tolerate it? For that matter, in a show of early season solidarity, Barry Larkin and the boys should all grow goatees...what would the organization do? suspend all of them and have Bernie Stowe play leftfield?

Rob Herman, Hyde Park

I think the reds should be allowed to wear "neatly trimmed" facial hair. It seems that with all the great trades they have made during the off season they might have a different look anyway (A winning won). Why not top it with a new appearance that would go great with the new uniform, allow facial hair.

Tom Wolfzorn, Independence, Ky.

I feel so sorry for Mr. Vaughn... I live in Cincinnati and he is going to have to go through so much garbage playing here.  Why is this town so wierd? It's bad enough that he is being forced to leave progressive and beautiful San Diego to move to a backwater town like Cincinnati, but to have these rules that make no sense being forced upon him is crazy! What's the big deal? Unless, of course the facial hair will cause some problems with wind currents when he is running bases and it could possibly slow him down. Then by all means, take it off, take it all off. Gloria Cole

It now makes sense to me why most Cincinnatians are so concerned about such ridiculous things this time of year as facial hair on the Cincinnati Reds. I spent 33 years in Cincinnati, with the last two of them living in Puerto Rico, and guess what, I was like most Cincinnatians, with very little to do in February. But I have realized there are so many things that can be accomplished outdoors this time of year, other than worrying about facial hair on our beloved Reds. You see it's 85 degrees here and we can have a normal life outside, unlike that of Cincinnati. You can tell it's been a long winter in the Queen City, the Bengals were as miserable as usual, no NBA until tomorrow, and if you don't like college sports you don't have many other things to cheer for. So let the Bob Howsam tradition become a thing of the past and try to get something in Cincinnati as current as the rest of the world for men, facial hair!

Robert Ebel Mayaguez, Puerto Rico

Up here in West Michigan, there are a lot of people wearing W.W.J.D bracelets (What Would Jesus Do?). They do not say W.W.P.T (What Would People Think?) Is this facial hair policy in place because of W.W.P.T? Oh well, I'll go ahead a state the obvious. Jesus had facial hair. I guess he couldn't play for our team either.

Don Moore Grand Rapids, MI (Home town of Bethel, OH)

Mark Twain realized that things just don't change fast in conservative Cincinnati many years ago. I see things like this being discussed and I just want to scream "hello, you are living in 1999! Are you there?" This should not even have to be discussed, drop the ban. Good luck Greg Vaughn, free Pete and goodbye to the goatee.

Glenn, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Mack born and raised)

When the Reds instituted the ban, facial hair represented a challenge to established values. The Reds were making a statement to their fans that they supported those traditional values. Now, facial hair is "no big deal." It is not a statement of immorality or anarchism. As long as it is kept clean and trimmed, why not?

William C. Walker

The no facial hair policy should have left when Dick Wagner did!

Brian Stuart, Die Hard Reds Fan in Misawa, Japan

Just keep it clean, no Bruce Sutter beards.

John from Columbus

I'd rather see a Red with a goatee than Marge with a butt hanging out of her mouth!

Zshuz

Yes, the Reds need to drop their ban on facial hair. Hopefullly, however, players will have enough respect for themselves and their Team's image not to engage in body piercing.

T.Stieritz Cincinnati, Ohio

It was a fascist rule to begin with, and as anachronisms go, it lacks charm. The century is ending, Cincinnati is changing, and it's time to turn the page. Now let's see what we can do about the ownership.

Bill Steiden Reds fan in hostile territory (Atlanta)

Readers say hair ban should go
Comments: Keep it