Zero-turned-cult hero Sal Fasano signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays yesterday, resulting in the inevitable Globe & Mail story about the journeyman catcher’s facial hair.
One of the first requirements after arriving in New York last July was to cut his hair and lose the Fu Manchu to meet the Yankees’ strict grooming rules.
“I was able to keep a small mustache, but I think it made me look like Borat,” Fasano said. “I’m going to go back to the Fu Manchu. That’s my standard look anyways. I’m growing it out now, getting it ready for the season.”
Fasano, who hit a combined .217 with Philadelphia and New York and had 15 runs batted in in 78 games, said his working-class background helped earn him admiration from the fans.
“Being an Italian guy has helped, which is why I’m excited about Toronto,” he said. “I know that there’s more Italians per capita living in Toronto than just about anywhere.
“I think it’s just the work ethic of basically a first-generation Italian guy whose father and mother had to bust their tail every day. You try to instill that work ethic into yourself and into your game. I think a lot of fans admire that.”
I dont think Sal Fasanos cult-status in Philly had as much to do with his ethnicity or working-class background as it did with him looking like one of the 1993 Phillies or Broad St Bully era Flyers.
Sal’s folk hero status in Philly was directly tied to the fact that he sent pizza to Sal’s Pals. He seems like a good guy. I think he’s fairly religious and was ticked off when the Phils released him. And while he could be pound-for-pound the worst player in the major leagues, his ‘stache looks cool; even cooler than Jake the Snake.
Sal performed admirably in carrying on the Posada-era Yankee tradition of ham and egger backup catchers (even by the modest standards of backup catchers) ala Chris Widger, Kelly Stinnett, Joe Oliver, Todd Greene, John Flaherty etc. Bernie in 07?
The Yankees are continuing this tradition with the acquisition of Todd Pratt. Mike DeFelice in 2008?