Al Hrabosky

“The Mad Hungarian: stomping, glaring, and the most theatrical Fu Manchu ever to close a game.”

95STACH SCORE

✂ Fu Manchu Athlete Era: 1970s Born 1949 🏆 HOF Inductee

Is this a Legendary Stach?

Stach Stats

Stash Power96

Ruggedness90

Curl Factor55

Legend Status85

Stats are for entertainment purposes. The mustache committee's decisions are final and occasionally arbitrary.

Style: Fu Manchu
Peak Era: 1970s
Born: 1949
Hall of Fame: Inducted 2026
Fan Votes: 0 legendary · 0 meh

The Story

About Al Hrabosky

Alan Thomas Hrabosky was born in 1949 in Oakland, California, and was the St. Louis Cardinals' first-round pick in 1969. He debuted in 1970 and by the mid-1970s was the most entertaining reliever in baseball, a hard-throwing left-hander with a ritual no one could ignore.

In 1975 he led the National League with 22 saves, went 13–3 with a 1.66 ERA, finished third in Cy Young voting and was named The Sporting News Fireman of the Year. He later pitched for the Kansas City Royals (1978–1979) and the Atlanta Braves (1980–1982) before retiring.

Since 1985 he has been a fixture in the Cardinals' broadcast booth, where the mustache, much like the man, has never entirely calmed down.

The Verdict

Why the Stach Became Iconic

Hrabosky would stalk behind the mound, turn his back on the hitter, work himself into a fury, pound the ball into his glove and storm back to the rubber. Framing all of it was a dark, drooping Fu Manchu that made the whole act look like a silent-film villain about to throw 95.

When Cardinals manager Vern Rapp forced him to shave in 1977, Hrabosky said it took away his power, and the baseball world largely agreed. The mustache grew back. Rapp did not last.

On the Record

Career Highlights

St. Louis Cardinals (1970–1977) — NL saves leader 1975; Sporting News Fireman of the Year 1975
Kansas City Royals (1978–1979)
Atlanta Braves (1980–1982)
St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster (1985–present)

Fun Facts

His nickname, "The Mad Hungarian," came from his heritage and his pre-pitch theatrics.
A 1977 team-wide facial-hair ban forced him to shave; he called the clean-shaven version of himself "mild-mannered Al."
He posted a 1.66 ERA in 1975 with 13 wins in relief.
He is an inductee of the Cardinals Hall of Fame.