The 20 Worst Athlete Hairlines In Sports

They say balding occurs in 25 percent of men before they hit 30 and 40 percent of men before 35.

Even professional athletes are not immune to the genetics of hair loss.

Although they're blessed with the ability to play their respective sports extremely well, they're just like the rest of us when it comes to dealing with receding hairlines.

Fact is, there is a very large pool of horrible hairlines in sports.

As tempting as it is to mention the hair plugs that were previously on Jeff Van Gundy's head, there's just no room for that in this list. Only active athletes are included.

Here are 20 of the worst athlete hairlines in sports...

NBA: Brian Cardinal

Cardinal is the consummate hustle guy and bench player for the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is notorious for giving it his all each and every possession.

Although he looks like he could be 53, Cardinal is only 33 years old and plays with a tenacity of a player half his age.

NFL: Matt Hasselbeck

Hasselbeck, the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, has had very little hair as far as most fans can remember.

A search to for photos during his Boston College days couldn't even net any evidence of hair.

In fact, some quick research revealed that the Hasselbecks which includes, dad Don and younger brother Tim are all blessed with NFL genes but are cursed with very little hair.

MLB: Vladimir Guerrero

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim thought Vlad was already too old and over the hill, so they let him leave as a free agent in the offseason.

Don't let the receding hairline fool you.

In a few weeks, he'll be making his 9th all-star appearance as a member of the Texas Rangers.

NHL: J.S. Giguère

Giguère is a goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he also won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.

Behind that goalie mask is the face of a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner who played for the losing team. We also notice the hurting hairline of a 33-year-old 13-year NHL veteran.

NBA: Manu Ginobili

Manu is known for always driving hard to the basket as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

He's been able to take a few knocks during his career. That must be the reason why his hairline is receding.

PGA: Jim Furyk

Ranked as one of the top golfers in the world, he is only 40 years old but his hairline looks a lot older.

He is best remembered for winning the U.S. Open in 2003.

By the time he's in his 50's he might be as bald as that golf ball he's holding.

NBA: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Big Z has known no other home in the NBA than the Cleveland Cavaliers. In some respects, he's the anti-LeBron.

He showed the Cavs true loyalty when he resigned with the team after being traded away to the Washington Wizards, in the deal that netted Cleveland Antwan Jamison.

Ilgauskas had plenty of other suitors for his services but he chose to go back to Cleveland which has a soft place in his heart.

I guess plain nostalgia will always draw you back to the place where you first entered the NBA with a full head of hair.

MLB: Matt Stairs

Stairs is a super sub and known for his clutch-hitting. Don't let the lack of hair fool you.

At 42 years old he's still getting plenty of pinch-hitting duty with the San Diego Padres.

You've got to love this photo. He looks like a younger version of Robert Duvall.

NHL: Ryan Getzlaf

Getz is a 25-year-old All-Star center for the Anaheim Ducks with a Stanley Cup championship under his belt.

But underneath that hockey helmet is a terribly receding hairline. Next to the 22-year-old Sidney Crosby (87) and the 19-year-veteran Martin Brodeur (30) he looks like the oldest of the three.

NBA: Chris Kaman

Remember when Los Angeles Clippers center Kaman rocked the caveman look with long shaggy blonde hair?

It distracted most of us from actually noticing his rising hairline.

Now that he's chopped off the hair, his forehead looks so much bigger.

MLB: Dustin Pedroia

Just three years ago, Pedroia came up to the Boston Red Sox and won the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year. He followed that feat with an AL MVP award in 2008.

Take a look at Dustin with his hat or batting helmet off and you'd think you were looking at a guy who's been in the league for 24 years instead of four.

Only 26 years old, he is one of baseball's best young stars.

NHL: Robyn Regehr

Regehr looks like he's got just about as much hair on the top of his head as Stewie Griffin.

Only 30 years old, the Calgary Flames defenseman looks pretty defenseless in his battle with hair loss.

MLB: Matt Holliday

Here's a photo of Holliday during his years with the Colorado Rockies and his wavering hairline. In 2007, he won the NLCS MVP and led the Rockies in an unlikely run to the World Series.

Now with the St. Louis Cardinals and only 30 years old his head of hair shows no signs of being rejuvenated.

Soccer: Landon Donovan

After his game-winning goal against Algeria in the World Cup, he's been all around the news lately.

With worldwide exposure from his heroics, Donovan might be able to garner more endorsement deals.

Rogaine sounds like a great math, it's just hard not to notice receding hair.

MLB: Albert Pujols

Pujols has always been complimented for his high level of maturity when he was first called up to the major leagues.

During his rookie year as a 21-year-old, Pujols played like a fully grown man and hit 37 home runs and drove in 130 runs while batting .329.

Now, although he is only 30 years old, Prince Albert looks so much older than the when he first made his major league debut.

It must be the hair, or lack of it.

NHL: Mark Recchi

He's one of the elder statesman in the game.

Recchi has scored 1,485 points in 1,571 games over 20 seasons in the NHL.

No wonder the Boston Bruins signed him for his veteran leadership. His stats speak for themselves and his hairline makes him look like a bonafide vet.

PGA: Stewart Cink

Cink is a 37-year-old top ranked golfer that deceptively looks like he's middle aged.

Maybe there's just something about the slow pace of golf that causes grown men to lose their hair.

His last major victory came in 2009 when he won The Open.

Surfing: Kelly Slater

Surfing icon Slater has been around the sport for over 20 years.

While most surfers adorn the stereotypical long bleach blonde shaggy hair, Slater went the opposite route.

Now 38-years-old, he's embraced his receding hairline. Slater is making bald look cool just like he made surfing look cool.

MLB: Kevin Youkilis

Youkilis was giving the nickname "The Greek God of Walks" for his propensity to take a pass and ability to get on base.

Throughout his baseball career he's been referred to as fat and unathletic.

Don't let his looks fool you, despite the balding head and that unimpressive stature he is an MVP candidate and defensive master.

NFL: Brian Urlacher

Standing 6'6" tall and 258 lbs. the Chicago Bears linebacker is one big and scary man. His size and his tackling skills can intimidate even the best NFL quarterbacks.

So you try and tell him he's losing his hair.