Editor’s note: The following piece was written by Detroit Tigers relief pitcher and mustached American Todd Jones and can be read at the Sports News by clicking here.

Respect and fear the ‘stache

So everyone's making a big deal about some guy in New York who decided to grow a mustache. That guy, of course, is Jason Giambi, who is not the first baseball player to grow facial hair.

Facial hair appears a lot throughout baseball. Guys get hot and guys go through slumps, and as a result they will make a change in their appearance. Nick Swisher starts with a beard, then turns that into long sideburns, a goatee or a soul patch. Anything to get himself going.

Giambi decided to go with the mustache and talk about his favorite thong -- and something clicked. His numbers have gone way up since he sprouted the 'stache.

Sometimes, a 'stache starts for a reason as simple as forgetting to shave. Then you go 3-for-4 and someone says, "Hey, you can't shave 'til you go hitless." If you're a good player, you might end up looking like Johnny Damon when he was with the Red Sox. You know, the Brawny paper towel guy.

The Yankees have a strict facial hair policy. You can have a mustache, but it can't go too far below the sides of your mouth. For whatever reason, some clubs still think you can't be a good baseball player with a Fu Manchu.

I beg to differ.

I know the Yankees do it so that one guy doesn't stick out. Their concept is for everyone to blend in behind the pinstripes. That's cool, I guess, but it works for only the Yankees. The Yankee mystique has enough street cred that players don't fight the rule and actually enforce it internally.

If you want to talk sweet 'staches, don't forget to look at me. I've got one and work hard at keeping it straight. Doug Brocail and several teammates gave me a hard time years ago because my Fu Manchu was crooked. But I thought I was mean-looking, so I rocked it. To be honest, when I was learning how to be a closer, I thought I needed something to make me look the part.

I remembered the looks of Goose Gossage and the Mad Hungarian, Al Hrabosky. Then I met Rod Beck --- God rest his soul --- and I was in. I've gone about three weeks in my entire career without my once slightly crooked and now-graying mustache. I guess it's me.

I hope Giambi keeps his 'stache for a while, even if he starts to slump. Heck, the Yankees gave away 20,000 fake mustaches the other day, so someone likes them. I bet Giambi cuts another commercial for a shaving company. In the meantime, on behalf of the MLBP4MOA (Major League Baseball Players for Mustaches of America), I'd like to welcome Jason to the club.