Jarrod Saltalamacchia explains why he decided to cut his hair
D-backs catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia had become known for the curly locks that flowed out of his helmet, but earlier in the season he headed to the barbershop and chopped it all off.
In a Q&A with the Arizona Republic, Saltalamacchia explains why he ditched his long locks, a decision he says has nothing to do with wanting a fresh start in his career.
"I've been wanting to do it for a while now," the 30-year-old catcher said. "I didn't want to do it after I got released [by the Marlins]. I didn't want to do it and make it look like, 'Oh, he had to make a big change.'"
While Saltalamacchia didn't want his new look to be interpreted as an expression of his desire to start anew with the Diamondbacks, it would have been fitting, considering his rocky tenure with the Marlins.
After hitting .220/.320/.362 with 11 home runs, 44 RBI, and a career-high 143 strikeouts in 2014, Saltalamacchia was released on May 5 after just nine games with Miami this season.
Ten days later, he was signed to a minor-league contract by the Diamondbacks and was called up to their major-league squad two weeks later.
Nonetheless, Saltalamacchia insists his new 'do had nothing to do with his new start.
"I kept the hair, and then once I was here for a little bit I was like, 'Alright, now it's time to cut the hair,'" he said. "It was getting to be too much."
(h/t Arizona Republic)
