Rant #2,075: Hair

Oscar Gamble died yesterday at age 68.

If you don't know who Oscar Gamble was, do you remember him, perhaps, by this photo?

Yes, if you are into hirsute pleasures, Oscar Gamble was your man.

He sported the best afro in sports in the late 1960s through the early 1980s, but "The Big O" backed it up with his ability as a baseball player.

Gamble played for several teams during his 17 big league seasons, including seven with the high-profile New York Yankees, helping to power the team to league championships and to the World Series.

He hit 200 home runs during his career, and when he came up to bat, and you saw that floppy afro under his cap, you knew that whatever team he was playing for had a chance to put runs on the board.

There is a story that when he was with the Yankees, manager Yogi Berra took him aside as he was ready to go up to the plate and told him to take a couple of pitches so the runner at first could have a chance to steal second base and put himself in scoring position.

Gamble reportedly told Berra that there was no need for that.

"When I come up to the plate, I am already in scoring position," he allegedly told his manager.

Crowned by his haircut, Gamble was a character that such stories like this grew around, whether they were true or not.

He supposedly was a good all-around guy, loved by his teammates, and about the most personable fellow that you could ever deal with.

He knew how lucky he was, and his swagger was based on his ability to start, pinch hit, or do whatever it took for him to be on the winning team.

Gamble passed away from a rare tumor in his jaw. According to his wife, he was diagnosed with ameloblastona about nine years ago. It got worse over time, and less than two years ago, it became ameloblastic carcinoma, and he underwent several surgeries.

And no, unlike many major league ballplayers who have had mouth, jaw and gum cancers, he never chewed tobacco.

And during his battle with cancer, he lost his hair and was as bald as a cue ball.

Although he played for so many teams, Gamble was a member of the Yankee family, appearing at Old Timers Games, Fantasy Camps, and at other gatherings linked to the Bronx Bombers.

In a statement, the Yankees said, "It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of former Yankee Oscar Gamble. His prodigious power, unique style and joy in wearing the pinstripes made him a favorite of fans and the Steinbrenner family."

How true. He was one of my favorites, that's for sure, and when I heard of his passing yesterday afternoon, all I could think about was that hair ... and his ability to hit for power in big, clutch situations.

Another one of my baseball heroes is gone. No, he was not a Hall of Famer, but it really didn't matter; he was a one-of-a-kind personality with that big hair, bit talent, and big personality.

That is how I will remember Oscar Gamble.

R.I.P.