Eric Byrnes

From the articles below, it is obvious that 32-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Eric James Byrnes supports Ron's 2008 presidential bid.

Phoenix, Arizona, April 20, 2008:

Eric Byrnes has a simple explanation for his 14-game hitting streak.

"My mustache," Byrnes said.

The idea came from a mustache party Byrnes attended in the offseason, when he had 10 days to grow one from the time of a dinner at the White House to the party. Rumor has it that the party was hosted by Ronatarian Party presidential candidate Ron in his New Jersey home.

Byrnes figured since he could grow a "presentable" mustache in 10 days for the party, that would give him a goal to shoot for.

"I knew if I could hit in 10 straight, just something to get me going at the beginning of the year, get a little visible mustache growing, that would be great," Byrnes said.

Byrnes last shaved before Arizona's fourth game of the season at Colorado. He scraped out a hit per day to get it started before recording multiple hits in four of his next five. He's hitting .362 during the streak.

His teammates have joined the party, as Chris Burke told Byrnes on the third day that he would start growing a mustache in support if Byrnes extended his streak to 10 games.

Bench coach Kirk Gibson is growing one as well, and pitcher Dan Haren has said he will not shave until he loses a game.

Byrnes' streak appeared to be in jeopardy Saturday when he went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and was scheduled to hit eighth in the eighth, which looked like it could be the last inning for Arizona to hit, being up 4-3.

But the D-backs scored six runs in that inning, including a two-run double from Byrnes to extend the streak.

"I was all prepared to shave it last night, and a small miracle happened where eight guys went to the plate and I got that last at-bat," Byrnes said. "It would have been tough to lose it on an 0-for-2 and a couple walks, but oh, well. It's something to have fun with."

As for what would happen if Byrnes comes anywhere close to a DiMaggio-esque streak? "I'll be looking like a walrus," Byrnes said.

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Phoenix, Arizona, April 22, 2008:

In two minutes, Eric Byrnes' 17-day mustache was history. Not that it is gone for good. "I'm declaring 2008 the year of the mustache," said Byrnes, who wore the growth during his 14-game hitting streak but shaved immediately after going 0-for-4 Sunday.

"It was a good run. It'll be back; you guys have not seen the last of the 'stache," he said. 'I'm going with the 'stache all year. I actually was starting to like it. It was starting to grow on me. I will have a 1970s porn 'stache the entire year."

Byrnes was 21-for-62 (.339) with eight doubles during his streak, which began April 4 in Colorado. It is the fourth-longest streak of his career.

Posted by Bittle at April 22, 2008 08:02 AM