Mustaches and mutton chops: WooSox beard game is strong as Jonny Gomes visits Polar Park

WORCESTER — Mark Contreras’ mustache and Nathan Hickey’s beard are gone.

But there was still plenty of facial hair on display Thursday at Polar Park.

Jonny Gomes, owner of one of the most decorated beards from the Red Sox’ magical run to a World Series championship in 2013, signed autographs and took pictures with fans before the WooSox game was postponed because of rain.

From holding babies to signing baseballs to grooming his burly beard, Gomes enjoyed his second visit to the home of the Worcester Red Sox.

“It’s super cool, it’s so close to Boston and Fenway (Park), obviously Sox Nation runs pretty deep, and it’s just a little (ways) over here (to Worcester) so anytime I get to Boston I try to get up here as well,” Gomes said. “It’s an outstanding ballpark, one of the best ones in all the minor leagues, and it’s attached to the Sox.

“(So I) saw some familiar faces, NESN of course, and I got to take my family to the game, it was awesome.”

Like the facial hair that Gomes and former Red Sox teammate — and bearded brother — Mike Napoli were known for 11 years ago in Boston, a few WooSox players have taken their stab at various scruffs so far this season.

After showcasing a full beard last year, WooSox left-handed pitcher Cam Booser is currently rocking a red “classic handlebar” mustache that earned him the nickname of “Yosemite Cam” in spring training.

“I like it,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said. “(He’s throwing) 97 and 99 (miles per hour) with some mutton chops, I like it.”

“I’m just having fun with it,” said Booser, who was called up to the Boston Red Sox later on Thursday.

On Sunday, Contreras was sitting on the team bus heading back to Worcester from Syracuse when the WooSox outfielder — with a thick black mustache at the time — was approached by Hickey with a proposition.

“He was like ‘I’m thinking about shaving my whole beard,’ and I was like ‘I don’t know, you have baby face,’ he said ‘If I shave my whole beard will you shave your mustache?’ and I was like ‘All right, I’ll reset it, I’ll babyface for you,’ ” Contreras recalled.

Two days later, Contreras showed up to Polar Park without his signature stache.

“It’ll grow back,” he said.

As for Hickey — the 24-year-old catcher showed up to Tuesday’s homestand opener with a freshly shaven face. Beard begone.

“We had to do it together,” Hickey said.

“He did it,” Contreras confirmed. “That’s a man of his word.”

But like the guest of honor on Thursday, WooSox players may be wise to grow out their facial hair — instead of shaving it. The brawny beard certainly worked for Gomes and Co. in 2013.

“It was good for team chemistry,” Gomes said. “It was cool to all rally around that.”

“It’s coming back,” Contreras said.

Crisis averted.

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Jonny Gomes signs autographs for WooSox fans at Polar Park