The Champagne of Champaign's Top 10

Top 10 Best Mustaches

When you think of a solid sports mustache, you probably don't think of the present state of athletic style. Probably because mustaches have become about as unpopular in sports asMichael Jackson's doctor is in the world of superfans.

Nonetheless, a good mustache can't go unnoticed. Here are 10 that deserve some recognition.

10. Dennis Eckerseley

"Eck" was quite arguably one of the best closers to ever play baseball, and one of only two men to save 50 games as a closer in a season AND win 20 games as a starter in a season (the other John Smoltz, who also sports some solid facial hair). You gotta believe that at least some of that success came from the daunting piece of bush on his upper lip. Even if he did give up that Walk-Off home run to Kirk Gibson (pun intended).

9. Dale Earnhardt

First thing I must say, I don't find NASCAR to be a sport, I understand many of the people WITHIN the "game" are very athletic and have to be in order to withstand the heat and dehydration. Nonetheless, it is still sitting on your ass and going around in a circle 500 times. Still, if there were a "face" of NASCAR it would be a mustached one, as Earnhardt was one of the most feared drivers in the NASCAR circuit and still has a legacy unmatched to this day.

8. Randy Johnson

The "Big Unit" really did have a lot of hair on his head. Beyond the former classic haircut, Randy Johnson had a classic Mustache. Even when the Yankees made him get rid of the Mullet (thank the lord), and his dominance on the mound lessened, he still sported a great Mustache.

7. Mike Ditka

He knows how to cook, he knows a good cigar, he knows how to market himself into a great steakhouse, knows how to win a superbowl (in 1971 as a player), and oh yeah, he has coached a couple times and maybe won a super bowl 1985 with one of the better football teams to play the NFL (best dancing team to this date). Yet, all of these accomplishments don't quite match the swagger that classic mustache has produced.

6. Jason Giambi

Yeah, the steroids weren't quite the best thing for his image. But the mustache was. Plus, this mustache had a little more meaning since it somehow did launch his play at the plate into a new level (notice the batting average displayed). And the fans loved it too, they not only cheered for the facial hair, but they also had an actual"mustache day" for it.

5. Hulk Hogan

Let me once again clarify, this is not necessarily a SPORT in my opinion, even though the game is filled with athletes. Still, Hulk Hogan is a stud, I mean, he is pretty famous among the reality show circuits now, and he could kick 90% of America's ass. Plus, that blonde bastard he sports on his face was recently used as the official US Measurement for a 90˚ angle, because it was JUST that accurate.

4. Al Hrabosky

The "Mad Hungarian" knew how to play ball, and he knew how to intimidate. His mound antics were crazy, and the way he intimidated his opponents was pretty enjoyable to watch (years later for me of course). It's easy to say that the mustache complimented Hrabosky better than anyone else in terms of intimidation and overall image.

3. Carlos Valderrama

Called "El Pibe" by fans, Valderrama is often referred to as the best Colombian soccer to ever play the game. Besides representing his country in more soccer events than any other Colombian, and besides being the only Colombian soccer player inFIFA's 100 Top Living Footballers, El Pibe also sports quite possibly the best hair/facial hair combination in sports.

2. Mark Spitz

When Spitz won all those medals, he had some strut. Not only did he swim fast, but he was the Michael Phelps before Michael Phelps and all the LZR Suit Wearing, Drag Resistant Hair Shaving Craziness. And he knew how to wear facial hair without trying to look like a totaldouchebag/kevin federline unlike phelps.

1. Rollie Fingers

Originally started as a monetary incentive competition from Charles O. Finley, the mustache of Rollie Fingers will forever be timeless. It is that curl, that Snidely Whiplash. If you see that mustache on an everyday person, you probably would think they are weird, but when Rollie Fingers did it, it was just fitting. I mean, just look at his name, Rollie, and the roll of the mustache curl, it fits. And, yeah, I mean, he did win the AL MVP and the Cy Young award in the same 1981 season. Not to mention being relief man of the year for 4 years ('77-'78, '80-'81), World Series MVP in 1974, and currently in the Hall of Fame.