Danny Espinosa’s epic Fu Manchu immortalized by bobblehead
The Washington Nationals may be censoring Danny Espinosa’s facial hair at Nationals Park, but the Potomac Nationals are doing their part to keep its memory alive.
On Friday, Washington’s Class A affiliate announced its six bobblehead promotions for the 2016, and one of those will pay homage to Espinosa’s facial hair. Specifically, the Fu Manchu he sported during spring training in 2015.
This is fantastic. It also continues a tradition of Potomac honoring Nationals’ players crazy facial hair.
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In 2014, they made a special bobblehead featuring Jayson Werth and his out of control (in a good way) beard. Now it’s Espinosa’s turn, even though he decided to part with his Fu Manchu over a year ago.
As the story goes, Espinosa has a tradition of growing out and styling his facial hair during the offseason with the intent of keeping it through team photo day at spring training. That way the look lives on during the regular season every time his photo is featured at the ballpark.
Last season, Espinosa went with the Fu Manchu you see featured in the bobblehead. This year, it was a thicker, fuller and darker beard, but the Nationals decided to instead use photos of a clean shaven Espinosa during home games. The exact reason that decision was made is unknown. Even general manager Mike Rizzo sounded confused and not entirely on board with the decision, but so it goes.
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Credit the Potomac Nationals though. They know what the fans want, and should benefit greatly from the demand and the attention this creation will bring them.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
