Derek Holland Mustache: Rangers Ace Inspires Fans with World Series Whiskers

As memorable as Texas Rangers lefty Derek Holland was on the mound against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the 2011 World Series, his most lasting impression came by way of a patchy collection of hairs on his upper lip that might technically be described as a mustache.

Holland came within two outs of posting a complete-game, two-hit shutout against the Cards in what turned out to be a 4-0 win to even the Fall Classic at two wins apiece. Holland's pitching brilliance was made that much more iconic, that much more unforgettable, by the sorry excuse for a 'stache he was sporting and the way in which the home crowd so warmly embraced it.

Granted, it's not exactly a new phenomenon for the Rangers faithful to support Holland with fake facial hair of their own. Holland has been "working on" his current crop for about four months now, with his most recent postseason success shining a much brighter spotlight on his post-pubescent plight.

Of course, if the baby-faced ace didn't like the look of his lip or thought it detracted at all from his game, he'd probably have shaved it by now. Unfortunately for Holland, he might not be able to without stern resistance from teammates and fans. His mustache is practically public property with the way it's been adopted by folks all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Now comes the difficult part. Not winning two out of three against the Redbirds, though that certainly won't be easy.

No, the real challenge for the Rangers is to find a way to grow it out, to give it some girth, in time for a potential victory parade through the Lone Star State. A dabble of Rogaine might do, though it's not entirely clear how MLB's drug policy would apply, if at all, not to mention whatever negative side effects he might be plagued by as a result.

Perhaps a switch to the bullpen would help to spur on his follicles. It worked out pretty well for Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers and Goose Gossage, didn't it? Mike Adams and CJ Wilson might even be able to offer him a good grooming tip or two, considering the success those two Texas pitchers have had both on the bump and in the barber shop.

If all else fails, Holland could always appeal to Scott Feldman to lend a patch of his chinstrap.

All for the enjoyment of the fans and the morale of his teammates, of course. After all, the Rangers could use their own bit of folklore to battle the Cards' Rally Squirrel.

Why not the rodent-like rash of hairs that Derek Holland calls a mustache?