CHICAGO (WGN) — The mustache look is a popular one these days, and that’s especially so for one member of the Chicago White Sox. Outfielder Austin Slater said his mustache was born out of superstition, but he and the follicle foray happening on his upper lip are serving a special purpose for the month of May.
You know, besides looking good inside a batter’s box.
“One of our teammates in Triple-A, he started to hit really well,” Slater said Wednesday. “We were scuffling at the time. He got super hot. He got called up to the big leagues. The next guy that did it, same thing, he got hot and called up to the big leagues. It kind of started as a fun changed up [for] the juju and create a fun atmosphere.”
Turn the clock forward to 2025, and Slater has turned that mustache mojo into a serious effort to bring awareness to mental health.
Every May—also known as Mental Health Awareness Month—Slater and his old teammate, San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski, grow out their mustaches as a sign of solidarity to support veterans who are struggling with PTSD.
In Chicago, Slater has teamed up with The Road Home Program (RHP) at Rush University Medical Center. RHP is dedicated to the mental health and wellness of veterans, service members, members of the National Guard, reservists, and their families at no cost, regardless of discharge status. The program is in its 11th year and has helped over 10,000 veterans struggling with PTSD.
“We thought it was a great idea,” Slater said. “And Mike and I were passionate about it.”
Slater said he has known people close to him who have attempted to take their own life, or have died by suicide so, a related benefit of Slater and Yastrzemski growing out their mustaches every May, is that now, player are talking more about mental health among themselves.
“Being able to talk about mental health, there’s a lot of pressures that come with the game,” Slater said.
Slater has t-shirts for sale that tie into his ‘Mustache May’ initiative, with the tagline, “Care for your homies” printed on the shirt. Those interested in purchasing one can find them by clicking on this link.