Business in Front, Party in Back for Cards' Backstop

By Nick Lucchesi Fri., Apr. 4 2008 at 9:53 AM

The Cardinals' new backup catcher is a heartthrob with a Kentucky Waterfall for a haircut. That's according to one baseball blog, anyway.

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LaRue

Veteran Jason LaRue, who did a stint last season in Kansas City after putting in eight years behind the plate in Cincinnati, played in Thursday's afternoon game against Colorado. Giving starting backstop Yadier Molina a day off, LaRue went 0-3 with a walk.

But to the Cards fan who isn't as focused on the stats, many may have asked aloud, "What's with LaRue's mullet?"

Baseball players haven't been known for their cool hair styles since, well, really ever. The lone exception may be Dave Winfield's razor-sharp sideburns.

Maybe LaRue is modeling the '80s version of the skipper.

But that hair is of little worry to the bloggers over at Red-Hot-Mama.com, the Web site that provides "forum for a smart-assed woman to express her views on baseball in the National League Central division."

And in the world of Red Hot Mama, the Cards' new backup backstop is one of best-looking players in the NL Central. Although the season is not yet a week old, LaRue is already in the semifinals of the "NLC's Hottest Baller" tournament. LaRue is facing Brandon Phillips, who plays for Cincinnati, evidently the home base of R-H-M and her blog.

If fans are so inclined, they can vote for LaRue -- or Phillips -- at the site.

- Nick Lucchesi

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