Everybody had left the large, thick, neatly groomed black mustache for dead. The 'stache had floundered horribly in recent months and the five straight years of 25 homer production seemed like a memory from a time long past. After a terrible spring training, the New York fans were growing impatient with the suave collection of upper-lip hair and an 0-15 start to the season had them booing it like Roger Cedeno's hairier-but-weaker-hitting brother. Yes everybody had left Jose Valentin's Mustache for dead. Everybody but Willie Randolph.
Valentin and his facial hair entered Saturday's game hitting .167. To watch him at the plate this season, the .167 seemed a generous assessment of what he could produce. In the top of the 6th inning, the suave switch hitter started his weekend-long massacre of Milwaukee pitchers. With the Mets clinging to a scant 1-run lead, Valentin singled to left driving in the first two of his 4 RBI's for the day. Gary Cohen aptly captured the importance of the hit, and of Valentin's ability to finally contribute something meaningful to the team when he enthusiastically trumpeted:
"Its Gotta feel like 1000 lbs weight has been lifted of his shoulders”
While the 2-run single was a good moment for our protagonist, he was not done for the day yet. Batting from the left side of the plate in the visiting 8th, Valentin absolutely crushed one, depositing a Chris Demaria pitch deep into the upper deck in Right Field. Rounding the bases with a 2-4, 4 RBI day had to feel great for each of the 3,000 hairs that covered Valentin's upper lip.
The 4 RBIs proved crucial as a late Brewer rally in the 8th tied the game, forcing a dramatic finish by Valentin's goateed friend Paul LoDuca. While LoDuca iced the game, the day belonged to the Mustache.
After a good nights sleep and a vigorous morning brushing, Valentin's Mustache looked smashing when Randolph placed it back in the lineup again on Sunday. Its unclear who was more surprised...Cliff Floyd who was being rested for the second consecutive day, or Valentin and his bushy friend. The 36 year old veteran did not disappoint, adding a 4-5 afternoon at the plate and a terrific defensive gem to his already stellar weekend.
It was easy coming into this weekend to want to call for Valentin's head, or at least request he shave his face. I personally had panicked on this very site, begging Omar for assistance on the bench. 2 days, 6 hits, 6 RBIs and two beautiful defensive plays later have earned Valentin some hard-fought respect. Mets fans are now asking each other, "Who was that young buck with the lustrous 'stache, and when will we see him again?"
