Meet Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies star with epic beard who created team’s ‘Stay Loose And Sexy’ brand
BRANDON Marsh began a new craze in Philadelphia that has left baseball fans desperate to buy the T-shirt.
The 26-year-old from the Atlanta suburb of Buford, Georgia, is one of the most recognizable faces in Major League Baseball with his iconic beard.
And earlier this month he was asked a question by a fan which sparked such a frenzy online that it led to shirts being sold in the team store.
Marsh was being interviewed during a Philadelphia Phillies game that was broadcast live on ESPN.
The Phillies took on the San Francisco Giants in a Sunday Night Baseball game when broadcasters read out a fan question to Marsh.
The outfielder was asked if he had to start a rock band, who would he take from the team.
Marsh picked Garrett Stubbs, Kyle Schwarber, and Cristian Pache.
He said, “Oh, but what’s the name? ‘Stay Loose and Sexy,’ baby.”
A clip of that interview was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
And now, the Phillies are selling a T-shirt with all four player faces on it and the “Stay Loose and Sexy” logo for $39.99 in the team store.
Marsh was asked about the energy in the locker room by select UK media last week.
“The music’s loud, the vibes are up, dancing a lot,” he said.
“Just a whole lot of everything – a whole lot of fun.
“You got some house music, some rap, some country, some rock. You got everything.
“This team knows how to have some fun.”
The Phillies’ party mood may be in part down to them recording the best 50-game start in the MLB since 2001 and in franchise history.
They won 36 of their opening 50 contests and powered their way to the top of the National League East division.
Home runs and boomsticks
MLB is back in London for a third time this summer when the Philadelphia Phillies take on the New York Mets.
The London Stadium will transform from a football pitch to a baseball field for the June 8 and 9 spectacle.
Fans attending the games can feast on some extravagant ballpark menu items such as boomstick nachos (pictured) and a two-foot boomstick hotdog.
The New York Yankees won both games in 2019 against their rivals the Boston Red Sox.
And the Chicago Cubs split their series with the St Louis Cardinals when the teams faced off in 2023.
Speaking last week, Marsh said, “I really just think just the camaraderie of the team, the unity that we have the love and passion we have for each other to play and win for each other.
“And we got tremendous athletes out on the field – the best of the best.
“So if we just keep our heads down, play our game bat by bat and pitch by pitch, we’ll be right where we want to be.”
Marsh is also happy that the team don’t have a policy on facial hair, given his striking look.
“It’s a part of the brand now,” he said. “It doesn’t annoy me ever, it never gets in the way as much as it seems like it would.
“If I cut it off, it’s like cutting my arm off. So I can’t do that.
“I was a super late bloomer growing up and all my buddies had facial hair.
“I told myself once I got it I’m going to let it ride out for as long as I can.
“I’m grateful that the Phillies let me keep it because it’d be heart-breaking for me to cut it off.”
New York Mets will play Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB World Tour: London Series 2024, June 8-9 at London Stadium. Tickets are available now at https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/MLB