Baseball Hair: A Hall of Shame Worth Celebrating

Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin

Some baseball players showed their personality with their hustle. Others did it by playing practical jokes. There are others, though, who were memorable because of their hairstyles. While some also showed hustle, they had bad hair (hello, Pete Rose and his bowl cut), fans remembered the others because of how unique their hair looked. Here are 12 of the most outrageous player hairstyles ever.

Oscar Gamble’s Disco-Era Afro: A Fuzzy Monument to the ‘70s

Look at that afro. Oscar Gamble’s afro was so thick that had he been plunked in the head, his hair would act as a shock absorber, keeping him from getting hurt. He had to cut it down a bit when he went to the Yankees, but it was still a thing to behold.

Jayson Werth’s Unruly Locks: The Untamed Spirit of Philly and Washington

Jayson Werth’s mane looked like it weathered a few extra innings in a wind tunnel. His wild, wizardly hair became a symbol of the Phillies and Nationals’’ scrappy spirit—half rock star, half Civil War general. He was a fierce competitor, and it showed, especially if he glared out from that beard and hair.

Manny Ramirez’s Dreadlocks: Wild, Free, and Full of Surprises

Manny being Manny extended from the batter’s box to his unpredictable, ever-morphing dreadlocks. Sometimes they had beads, sometimes they had color—always, they seemed to have their own agenda, just like the man himself. You never knew what you were going to get, but it was guaranteed to be interesting.

Rod Beck’s Handlebar Mustache-Mullet Combo: The Blue-Collar Blowout

Rod Beck didn’t just have a mullet—he paired it with a mustache thick enough to strain a milkshake. He looked like he could sit in a lounge chair in the bullpen, sipping on a cold one and then muttering, “All right, time to get it done” when he went into close out the game.

Mike Piazza’s ‘90s Flow: The Shampoo Commercial That Hit .300

Mike Piazza’s long, feathered hair glistened with every home run trot, looking less like a catcher and more like a guy who just breezed off a Venice Beach boardwalk. Baseball cards never quite captured the bounce and shine of that legendary ‘90s mane.

Bryce Harper’s Mohawk: Teenage Rebellion, Major League Edition

Part punk band, part baseball prodigy, Bryce Harper’s mohawk was a teenage “I dare you” to the baseball establishment. Bristling with bravado, it was the perfect visual for a player whose talent felt like it was breaking all the old rules. It also seemed to say, “I’m young. My hair’s gonna grow back.”

Randy Johnson’s Wet Mop Mullet: The Big Unit’s Waterlogged Look

Randy Johnson’s mullet looked like it survived a triple-header in a rainstorm. The Big Unit’s stringy, damp locks flopped menacingly as he unleashed fastballs, reminding everyone that intimidation comes in many forms, including questionable conditioner choices.

Johnny Damon’s Caveman Mane: Boston’s Follicular Folk Hero

Before Johnny Damon cleaned up for the Yankees, he was Boston’s bearded, bushy-haired messiah. His untamed locks and beard made him look like he’d just emerged from a wilderness hut—perfect for breaking curses and stealing bases. He would have been perfect portraying a caveman for a certain insurance company’s commercials.

Coco Crisp’s Perfectly Spherical Afro: A Tribute to Geometry

Coco Crisp seemed to have a different hairstyle each day. There were times when he would let it grow, which would result in an afro that wasn’t just big—it was perfectly, mathematically round. It was like he was channeling Oscar Gamble from a few decades ago.

Brian Wilson’s Dyed Beard and Hawk: Fear the Beard—and the Barber

Can facial hair and a mohawk intimidate big league hitters? Brian Wilson’s jet-black beard and wild fauxhawk certainly seemed to work to an extent. Fear the Beard, indeed.

Yuli Gurriel’s Pineapple Top: The Havana High-Rise

Yuli Gurriel’s gravity-defying hair earned him the nickname “La Piña,” and for good reason. With its proud vertical stance, the iconic “pineapple top” became as much a part of his game as his smooth swing and Havana-born style. He would have been great as a third member of Kid’ N Play in the 1990s.

Joe Pepitone’s Pompadour: Hairspray, Hot Dogs, and Home Runs

Joe Pepitone’s pompadour was less a hairstyle, more an architectural feat. Rumor had it he kept a comb in his back pocket at all times, ready to reshape his hair between innings and autographs. Those sideburns were a thing of legend, too.