The Last Boys of Summer Play Their Way Into The 2017 World Series
We see numerous sports fans at the Limmer HTC and for baseball fans, the shifting of summer into fall is a magical time. It’s a time when the remaining Boys of Summer run, swing, throw, and catch their way onto baseball’s grandest stage: The Fall Classic.
And the 2017 World Series is even more special for Texans: Our own Houston Astros are making their second appearance in the big series. Their first appearance, in 2005, ended in defeat to the Chicago White Sox. This time, they face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Celebrating 2017 World Series Hair
At the Limmer HTC, we’re rooting for the Astros, but we’re also excited to celebrate baseball’s grandest of traditions by applauding some the game’s grandest heads of hair.
We carefully reviewed each team’s roster and chose the six players whose hair we found most interesting, most envy-inducing, or most outrageous.
The 2017 National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers
Justin Turner, #10, Third Baseman
We’d never describe Los Angeles Dodgers third-baseman Justin Turner’s hair as “luxurious”—far from it. Turner’s ginger-colored mane is floppy, stringy, and disheveled. If you look closely, past all that fieriness, you’ll spot a mature receding hairline; Turner is a Type 3 on the Norwood Scale. This guy’s a sweaty, power-hitting, base-running, dirt-caked Viking outfitted in Dodger blue.
Since making his Major League debut in 2009, the soft-spoken Turner has steadily worked his way into Major League star-status. He hit a career highpoint in 2017, being named National League Championship Series MVP.
Chase Utley, #26, Second Baseman
At 38 years old, Chase Utley is the oldest player on the field in the 2017 World Series. His hair’s gone silver, mimicking his four career Silver Slugger Awards (2006-2009), but there’s still an impressive amount of it. His youthful hairline suggests he won’t be needing to visit the Limmer HTC—or any other hair restoration facility—for the foreseeable future.
Utley hasn’t seen much playing time this post season. However, with his slicked-back, silvery hair and championship credentials (he won a World Series ring with the 2008 Phillies) Utley no doubt adds an “elder statesman” vibe to the dugout.
Clayton Kershaw, #22, Starting Pitcher
In 2015, USA Today dubbed Kershaw “The best pitcher in the universe.” In 2017, he maintained that well-earned reputation, with an 18-4 season (.818) and a 2.31 ERA. He also made his seventh opening-day start, recorded his 2000th career strikeout, and appeared in his seventh straight All-Star Game, while helping the Dodgers win their fifth straight division title.
One glimpse at Kershaw’s wavy locks, sans cap/helmet, makes clear why we’ve included him. Sporting a movie star hairline, with long, freestyle layers on the top, and curls down the back, Kershaw’s not only at the peak of his pitching prowess, but also of his hair prowess.
Your 2017 American League Champion Houston Astros
Yuli Gurriel, #10, First Baseman
Officially, 2017 marked Yuli Gurriel’s rookie season in the Majors. This 33-year-old Cuban star is anything but a beginner, though. He hit .299 in the regular season, with an impressive .486 slugging percentage. In the 2017 post season, he’s upped his batting average to .378, with a number of key hits for the Astros.
His secret?
Our money’s on the hair. Shaved close on the sides and in back, Gurriel’s got a mane on top that would make even a lion envious. He’s been oft photographed during the 2017 season with his hair looking like it’s been transplanted from a Troll Doll. Seriously, you could lose a foul ball up there. He’s got a “down-to-business” look, too, where he combs it into an impressive stack. We think it looks great either way.
Lance McCullers, Jr., #43, Relief Pitcher
McCullers made our list for his willingness to take risks with his hair. His half-shaved style is unexpectedly versatile, managing to look both wild during game time and professional when combed over and paired with a business suit. His six-o-clock-shadow beard adds a nice compliment to the overall look.
Although McCullers had an inconsistent regular season, he’s come up big for the Astros in the post season, allowing just one run in 10 innings pitched during the American League Championship Series.
Dallas Keuchel, #60, Starting Pitcher
Okay, we admit it—Keuchel made our list mostly for the beard. The guy’s got some serious game when it comes to facial hair. He’s got some serious game on the mound, too, with a 14-5 record in the 2017 regular season and a 2.90 ERA. He’s won three straight Gold Glove awards during his career, the last coming in 2016. He’s also a two-time All Star and winner of the prestigious Cy Young Award. He’s been a critical, steady part of the Astros starting rotation this post season, too.
The most interesting aspect of Keuchel’s style is his mixture of conservative and grizzled. He wears his hair short, combed over and parted on top, a look well-suited to a boardroom. His beard, though, is better suited to a ZZ-Top tribute band, and we love it!
