“Didn’t know it was a thing” – Jays’ Game 1 starter Gausman will keep playoff beard

TORONTO – Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman said Friday he has no plans to shave his brown beard that has grown thicker by the day.

Gausman was tabbed to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees on Saturday.

He admitted that he wasn’t aware of the athlete tradition – perhaps most common in NHL circles – of players growing facial hair while their team is active in the post-season.

“Now that I’m here, everybody keeps telling me you’ve got to let it go,” Gausman said at a media availability at Rogers Centre. “I didn’t know that was a thing.”

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

Call it a sports encore for Canadian rock band Triumph.

The power trio from Mississauga, Ont., gained a new wave of attention last spring when the group’s hit “Lay it on the Line”