White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis was the first to suggest the players grow moustaches after their dismal road trip and being swept in three games in Detroit.
Those who could sport them quickly–Youkilis, Paul Konerko and Chris Sale–had the look Monday, which also happened to be the day the team was honoring the memory of their late batting practice pitcher and assistant coach, Kevin Hickey.
Hickey had a moustache.
“This being Kevin Hickey Night, it actually worked out pretty well,” team captain Konerko said.
Hickey, 56, a South Side native who pitched for the Sox from 1981-83 after starring as a local 16 inch softball player, was remembered in pre-game tributes. The organization revealed a special plaque that will hang in the batting cages–now to be named the Kevin Hickey Batting Cages.
With the victory that ended the four-game losing streak, the moustaches are likely to stay, Konerko said.
“I have a feeling they’re going to be around for a while. It was a nice thing with Hick tonight. Maybe there are some wins in it. Maybe he’s looking down, looking out for us.”
It may take time for some of the players to catch up to the look.
“It’s going to take me until next spring to get mine fully out, but I’m going to try,” Gordon Beckham said. “Everybody’s in on it. It comes fitting today because of Kevin Hickey and this game is about him and we won. He has a plaque up in here now. It was good to remember him with a win and now we’re starting the Hick moustaches. We’ll ride these out.”
