Baseball and mullets have always been a perfect pair since the sport began. From the '80s to the early 2000s, the mullet was the classic hairstyle for any serious ballplayer.
While the trend faded a bit in the early 2000s, mullets are making a comeback. So, grab your styling gel and get ready to look back at the best baseball mullets of all time.
What is a Baseball Mullet Hairstyle?
The baseball mullet is a hairstyle where the top and sides are cut short, while the back is left long.
It gained popularity thanks to American athletes in the late '70s and early '80s. Recently, it has become a trend on TV shows and among celebrity athletes.
Players like David Price, Jarrod Dyson, and Brad Miller have embraced this style to stand out on TV and in stadiums.
Now, let’s take a look at some baseball legends and their iconic mullets.
Baseball Legends and Their Iconic Mullets
Pedro Martinez
Pedro Martinez is a prime example of how a baseball mullet can make a player stand out. He was the only Dominican in baseball's Hall of Fame until Vlad Guerrero joined in 2010. Throughout his career, Pedro won three Cy Young Awards and became one of the best pitchers ever.
Kirby Snead
Kirby Snead's mullet is one of the most popular and recognizable styles among athletes. Finding a hairstylist who can handle such volume and style isn’t always easy, but with the right products, you can achieve it.
Doug Drabek
Doug Drabek is a great example of a player who rocked a killer mullet. Drabek pitched for many years, including 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and seven more with the Astros. He even appeared on the box art for Michael Jordan's Air Jordan VII, sporting his iconic blond mullet that would make Elvis jealous.
Noah Syndergaard
If you don’t follow baseball, you might not know Noah Syndergaard. But if you do, you know he’s the pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies with one of the best hairstyles in the game. His mullet is so famous it has a name: Thor's Hammer. This style is an exciting mix between a typical mullet and a combover.
Gary Gaetti
Born in 1957, Gaetti played his entire 14-year career in Major League Baseball for three different teams. Gaetti was best known for his time as an All-Star shortstop and third baseman for the Minnesota Twins.
Larry Walker
Larry Walker played in Major League Baseball from 1989 to 2005 and was well-known for his red curly mullet. A four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, and World Series champion, Larry Walker finished his 18-year career in 2005 and became a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His red hair definitely made him stand out.
Danny Gladden
Danny Gladden, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, might not be one of the league's top players, but he has a dedicated fan base who love his mullet.
Jorge Alfaro
The San Diego Padres catcher Jorge Alfaro got a fresh haircut. The result is the perfect baseball mullet. Alfaro's new hairstyle is almost as exciting as his home runs, showing why he'll keep this look for years to come.
Zane Smith
Zane Smith is famous for his baseball mullet and is one of my favorite players from the '80s. Smith played for four teams during his thirteen-year career, but we will always remember him for his time with the Baltimore Orioles.
Lance McCullers Jr.
When the Houston Astros made their way to the World Series in 2017, they had a lot of fun with their hair. One player, Lance McCullers Jr., rocked a fierce and glorious mullet. The Astros didn't win the World Series, but I'm betting McCullers' hairstyle is here to stay.
Chris Paddack
Chris Paddack's hair is practically a 10th player in the Twins' lineup. His mullet is so iconic that it seems to give him extra powers on the mound. So, hats off to you, Chris Paddack, and your majestic mullet. Keep dominating both on and off the field.
Jose Canseco
Jose Canseco isn’t just a great baseball player; he also rocks a super cool mullet. Growing up in Oakland, Jose's favorite team was the A’s, and he played for them from 1985 to 1989. While he didn’t win many MVP awards, he did win two World Series titles.
Hirokazu Sawamura
Hirokazu Sawamura was a Major League pitcher known for his long hair, including a standout mullet. His hairstyle became a classic, making him one of the most recognizable figures in professional sports.
Pascual Perez
Pascual Perez, an Atlanta Braves relief pitcher in the 1980s, often had a serious look on his face. But when Perez took off his hat, he revealed an impressive mullet. Perez reached the National League MVP in 1990 and 1991 and was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Austin Davis
The mullet is a hairstyle popularized by professional baseball players, especially those with the Philadelphia Phillies. The term describes a haircut that is business up front and party in the back. Austin Davis is a great example of this iconic style.
Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza isn’t just one of the best-hitting catchers of all time; he also has one of the most impressive mullets in baseball history. A great detail about his mullet is that it doesn’t cover up his awesome facial hair.
Brandon Crawford
San Francisco Giants' Brandon Crawford has been rocking a mullet since he joined the team in 2008. His mullet is one of the best in the MLB. The mustache and sideburns are just the icing on the cake!
Rod Beck
Rod Beck will always be remembered for his flat-brimmed fedora, oversized glasses, and unmistakable mullet. In 1985, alongside Dwight Gooden, Ron Darling, John Franco, and Roger McDowell, Beck helped carry the New York Mets to their improbable World Series victory.
Mitch Williams
Mitch Williams was a pitcher for 16 years, with a notable six-year stint on the Philadelphia Phillies. His signature trait was undoubtedly his mullet, which stretched down to just below his chest, over his shoulders, and touched his back.
Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders is arguably one of the greatest to ever play. He is a two-time champion and five-time Gold Glove winner. He also won Rookie of the Year in 1989, the same year he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Though he had many highlights in his career, he is widely known for his mullet.
Robin Yount
Back in '77, Robin Yount of the Milwaukee Brewers debuted with a bold new hairstyle. Business in the front, party in the back – it was the ultimate mullet. This legendary hairdo even deserved a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Fans adored Yount's signature style, and soon, everyone was trying out their version of the "Yount Cut."
Dansby Swanson
Dansby Swanson's incredible mullet is a masterpiece – business in the front, party in the back, with a touch of flair. With a name like Swanson, he was destined for great hair. If you're envious of Dansby's luscious locks, you're not alone.
John Kruk
John Kruk, who played for the Phillies, Pirates, and White Sox, had batting skills almost as impressive as his hair. His 80s mullet was unforgettable. It’s like he decided the world needed more flow, and he certainly delivered.
Charlie Blackmon
Charlie Blackmon's famous mullet is more recognizable than the Golden Gate Bridge. He's been rocking that shaggy mane since he joined the majors, and it’s been a key part of his success.
Dennis Eckersley
Dennis Eckersley was a standout pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, helping them win three World Series titles in the '70s. But his most impressive feat was his iconic mullet. It was a party in the back and a strikeout machine in the front. In an era where every player seemed to grow out their hair, Eckersley was leading the pack.
Baseball Mullet's History
The baseball mullet became popular in the 1970s and 1980s, especially among top players.
Older generations often wore it, seeing it as the peak of manliness. This hairstyle actually has roots that go back centuries.
It became common on teams from southern states, who used it to compete with each other. Teams like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees adopted the haircut to mock opponents and claim their territory, symbolizing toughness.
The term "mullet" emerged from the rivalry between the White Sox and Brewers, where many players started wearing their hair this way.
While some see mullets as outdated, others believe they represent something meaningful for those who wear them.
I’ve embraced the mullet myself and can say it’s more than just a hairstyle—it's a declaration of style.