For anyone who missed yesterday’s amusing photo of Steve Nash’s new hairstyle, here it is again:

Due to attending the Toronto FC and Argonauts training facilities this week (more on this in the coming days), together with flying overnight, I’ve not had an opportunity to prepare a decent column.  (Obviously some of you would say this is a daily occurrence anyway.)

In any event, this is my lame attempt at an apology for today’s blog, where I’ve basically decided to use Nash’s new hairstyle as an excuse to look at some other disastrous sporting dos.  Enjoy.

1) We start off with one of Toronto sports great underachievers…..Oh, hold on, there’s quite a few of them isn’t there?  I guess we better narrow it down.

Basically, it’s former Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett who inexplicably decided to attempt a ‘Dennis the Menace’ haircut during his stint with the Yankees:

2) Staying with former Toronto athletes but definitely more of an overachiever rather than an underachiever, here’s Chris Bosh:

To be honest, this has nothing in particular to do with Bosh’s chosen hairstyle and everything to do with my continued sports-hate for the ex-Raptor.  Regardless, he still looks ridiculous.

3) Next, not that we ever need any excuse, but here’s the much-adored Gary Bettman, circa. 1994:

Suave, sophisticated and trendy.  None of these are words you’d associate with the above picture.  Instead, try clueless, ridiculous and smug.  (And let’s be honest, he may as well be holding his middle finger up at us all.)

4) It’s a well-known un-factual fact that virtually every black/African American man has more style than the average white male.  This includes their ability to sport afros better than, say, David Hasselhoff.

But I have to draw the line at this:

Seriously, is it Coco Crisp or Coco the Clown?

5) Further to the previous point, David Beckham is often perceived as one of the few white guys who can pull off most styles.  However, even he is susceptible to making bad decisions:

6) I thought we’d end with one of the most polarising mullets of all time.  You either love it or hate it, but I have to give kudos to Jarmoir Jagr for even attempting this:

It actually make’s Kelly Gruber’s mullet from his Blue Jays playing days almost look acceptable.

Enjoy your weekend and keep an eye out for blogs over the coming days in relation to my visit this week to the Toronto FC and Argonauts training facilities.

• By paul.taylor
• October 5, 2012
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Given that the AL East is tighter than me when it’s my round at the pub, I’m resigned to the probability only the Yankees are guaranteed to make the play-offs.* Even the news of A-Rod breaking his hand can’t cheer me up………..much.

As such, what can the Blue Jays do to increase their chances of a post-season spot? Undoubtedly pitching help is still vital, especially with Ricky Romero proving as unreliable as A.J. Burnett when he’s not in the first or last year of a contract.

If anything, the search has only intensified after J.A.’s Happ-less debut against the Oakland Athletics. (As he’s six foot six, I obviously won’t be repeating this to his face.)

Milwaukee’s Zach Greinke has been continually linked with the Jays.  However, with this rumour surfacing frequently in the media, any deal appears unlikely, especially with Alex Anthopolous’s penchant for under-the-radar surprise moves.

Also, despite the Fan590 reporting the Jays interest in Josh Johnson, the Miami Marlins have always maintained they would only trade Johnson OR Anibal Sanchez, who has now joined the Detroit Tigers.

Instead, according to our insider, Toronto will look to the Chicago Cubs to bolster their ranks. But, despite Ryan Dempster’s move to the Atlanta Braves falling through, it’s Matt Garza who Anthopolous prefers.

Before you look at Garza’s career record of 57-61 and throw your laptop across the room, the key word to consider is ‘potential’. This is a guy who’s recorded a no-hitter and was named MVP of the ALCS when he helped Tampa Bay to the World Series in 2008.

Using Brandon Morrow as a prime example, Garza could flourish in the right environment.  With a fastball that regularly hits the mid-nineties, this is a guy previously described as having the ‘best stuff’ when he was with the Rays, no mean feat when considering the talent at their disposal.

Although the approaching non-waiver trade deadline doesn’t mean the end of player movement altogether, Anthopolous will be eager to strike a deal sooner rather than later, before the Jay’s wild card aspirations disappear.

*The addition of Ichiro only makes this more certain. I’m convinced the Mariners agreed the move to apologise for trading the Yankees Michael Pineda’s dodgy right shoulder.

• By paul.taylor
• July 26, 2012
• Comment