Ian Desmond Tries a Mid-Game Rally Shave Against the Philadelphia Phillies

Who doesn’t like a good rally shave?

Ian Desmond does, although it did come at a rather strange time. 

The Washington Nationals shortstop stepped up for his first at-bat during Tuesday night’s matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies with a proud goatee sprouting from his chin, but the facial hair wouldn’t live to see even half of the game. 

When Desmond stepped into the batter’s box in the third inning, fans were surprised to see him sporting a clean shave. Credit to Joe Kinsey of Busted Coverage, who spotted the change and was as surprised as anyone by the timing of the decision.

Batting .278 on the season and hitting .294 for the month of July, there seemed to be no awful slump that Desmond had to barber his way out of—especially so early in the game. 

Obviously, it was a mental thing. He didn’t fare well against the Phillies Monday night, going 0-for-4 as the Nationals fell 3-2. Desmond is vying for an All-Star berth, and after being blanked Monday, he spoke to reporters about his frustration.

"Personally, I think it was my own aggressiveness. I got myself out,” Desmond said. “I feel like I just beat my head against a door for three hours.”

Desmond is ready to do anything if it helps his game a bit. Unfortunately, the new shave didn’t have an overwhelming effect on the shortstop. He finished 1-for-4 on the night, and the Nationals lost 4-2.

With that being said, Desmond has been experimenting with his facial hair a bit this year, sporting a mustache at spring training and harvesting a now-defunct goatee.

Keep trying different stuff, Desmond. But if you want to be a guaranteed All-Star lock, I have two words for you: handlebar mustache.

This is Genesis. She likes her men completely hairless.

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