Jacob deGrom just learned that his hair distracts hitters

Jacob deGrom’s hair is pretty extreme for a ballplayer. His long, flowing locks are immediately recognizable. People like to change their look up after a time, however, so after a couple of years looking like he has one would not be shocked to see deGrom just cut it all off one day like, say, Tim Lincecum and Zack Greinke did before him. A fresh look can do a lot for a guy.

On second thought, maybe not. Because some anonymous hitter just tipped deGrom to the fact that his hair helps him on the mound. That comes via this Bob Klapisch story about the Mets’ aces at NorthJersey.com. The hitter, who faced deGrom in the postseason, meaning that he came from either the Dodgers, Cubs or Royals, said this:

“First of all, I see this guy on the mound who looks like a stick figure,” the hitter said. “I mean, you don’t see major league pitchers who look like that. And he’s got that hair – you can’t not look at it, it’s everywhere. It bothers me when I’m trying to pick up the ball out of his hand. All I see is hair.”

deGrom said that it had never occurred to him that his hair distracted hitters and added “But I guess now I’ll never cut it.”

Good going, random Dodgers, Cubs or Royals hitter. You just blew it for everyone else.