Say it isn't so: Jake Arrieta shaved off his beard

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta has taken Major League Baseball by storm the past two seasons for two big reasons.

The first, his emergence as one of the game's very best pitchers. Arrieta, whom the Cubs acquired from the Baltimore Orioles on ... has turned his career completely around in Chicago. In fact, he pitched his first career no-hitter in 2015 and cemented himself as the NL's Cy Young favorite with a historic second half.

The other reason? His epic beard, of course. Arrieta's facial hair was along for the ride and earned almost as much popularity with Cubs' fans as his actual pitching. That was evidenced when fans started showing up to the ballpark sporting homemade Arrieta beards. One fan even had Arrieta's beard-clad likeness shaved into his head.

[Related: Illinois barber shaves stellar Jake Arrieta likeness on client's head]

That's serious dedication and appreciation.

Unfortunately, we have some shocking news to report. The beard is no more. With the Cubs season now over, Arrieta recently decided to shave and start the offseason with a fresh look.

It's gone, but you can already see it's trying to come back, because Jake Arrieta's beard can't and won't be held down. Not that it made the Cubs feel any better.

How do you really feel, Cubs Twitter?

Somewhere the Yankees Twitter account must be wondering what it's like to have these feelings.

We agree with the Cubs, too. The beard had a great run, but what's done is done, and chances are it won't be back in time should Arrieta have to accept the Cy Young award..

That part is too bad. But as they say in Cubdom, there's always next year!

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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813