BOSTON, MA- In a controversial play that decided Game Six of the 2013 World Series, Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli’s beard was called for obstruction. With the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday visibly shied away from Napoli’s gargantuan beard. First base umpire Jim Joyce signaled an obstruction call, allowing all runners to advance and the Cardinals to score what would become the winning run.

 “It’s absurd,” Napoli commented, “Such a ridiculous call. Just because he doesn’t want to walk through my beard shouldn’t mean I have to dive out of the way. It wasn’t like I was making him touch it.”

 “I mean, you can make the intent argument, but it doesn’t make a difference in the end,” Joyce said after the game. “Whether or not Napoli meant to grow that gigantic beard, it was there and it was in the way. That’s it. Cardinals win.”

 Holliday was not reserved in stating his agreement with the call. “Of course I think it was the right call,” Holliday said, “[Napoli] can’t walk around shoving his beard in my face. There’s a reason you haven’t seen me with a beard. Those things scare the shit out of me.”