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Andrew Cashner's beard consumed by Marlins' facial hair policy

We’re guessing Andrew Cashner didn’t mind leaving San Diego for a contending baseball team in Miami.

Then again, Cashner was also asked to leave behind his trademark beard, which had grown to become a legend on its own.

As we learned in spring training, the Marlins have adopted a strict facial hair policy under new manager Don Mattingly. Ironically, Mattingly himself preferred to sport a mustache during his playing career. He also never promoted any type of facial hair rules while managing the Dodgers, but apparently that’s neither here nor there in terms of his role with the Marlins.

Instead, Mattingly requires his players to be clean shaven, which means Andrew Cashner went from this…

Andrew Cashner and his once epic beard. (AP)
Andrew Cashner and his once epic beard. (AP)

To this…

That’s just wrong Don Mattingly. And it’s not right either.

Granted, Cashner does look closer to 24 than his actual age of 29. Perhaps that could somehow come in handy at his next contract negotiation. But he’s a grown man who can grow epic facial hair. These are decisions he should be allowed to make on his own accord.

Of course, all the Marlins really care about is how Cashner pitches down the stretch. That’s the whole reason they traded for him. Now the pressure is on even more after Colin Rea, the other pitcher acquired in Friday’s trade with San Diego, left his Marlins debut with elbow soreness.

Just as quickly as Cashner’s beard was gone, it might be up to him to salvage the Marlins trade deadline and perhaps even their season.

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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!