FanSided Sports Oscars: Fernando Tatis Jr. wins for Best Hairstyling and Makeup

Fernando Tatis Jr. is more than just a beautiful head of hair. He’s one of the brightest stars in baseball, challenging the dominant style in every way.

When the Chicago White Sox signed a then 16-year-old Fernando Tatís, Jr. in 2015 he was considered to be a star in the making, but what no one ever expected was that his hair would also rise in popularity. In a sea of largely average on-field hairstyles, Tatís Jr’s blonde-tipped dreadlocks command your attention. It’s why he’s our winner for the FanSided Sports Oscar for Best Hairstyling and Makeup. In the real Oscars, this award goes to the styling team whose hair and makeup made an impact on the film itself and while we are usually discussing Tatís Jr’s other highlights like his incredible catches or his moonshot home runs, his ritual of flipping his locs is equally as mesmerizing.

On July 5, 2021, Fernando Tatís, Jr. made a catch at short that, should his career continue its current trajectory, will probably just be one of many incredible plays he makes. He leaps into the air then kicks his feet which seem to take him another level higher to make an absolutely video-game style catch that no other human could dare even dream of making. A double jump. Amazing. During the leap, Fernando’s locs move with him swaying up and down on the second part of the jump. Though partially tucked under his cap, they seem to be part of the propulsion, giving him just enough extra wind to complete the jump. The hair up there, if you will.

Fernando Tatis Jr. bring a style all his own

Many viewers likened the images of the catch to Michael Jordan and since for Michael “it’s gotta be the shoes” would it be a stretch to say it’s gotta be the hair? Commentators referred to the catch as a “superhuman” and every superhero has to get his powers from somewhere right? Why not the dreads?

While the other famous number 23 is bald, the current “face of baseball” has changed the way dreadlocks on the baseball field are viewed. Typically, baseball fandom is steeped in so-called “traditions” and “playing the game the right way” which includes people side-eyeing extravagant jewelry, rap music, and some ethnic hairstyles. For years, dreadlocks have been associated with negative connotations but in 2021, a San Diego-area mom made clip-on dreadlocks for her five-year-old son to be able to rep his favorite player — signaling a change. Tatís Jr. and his hair are ushering in a new generation of fans. New fans who embrace their dreadlocked superhero in all his majesty. One of baseball’s best attributes is its ability to instill wonder and joy in children who attend games and Tatís has that part down.

But it’s not just the youth in awe of his hair. Adults can also be seen imitating his signature look and the Padres created a video of Tatís participating in the viral #SilhouetteChallenge where he just flipped his hair over and over again and the crowd went wild.

A human highlight reel with limitless swagger, Tatís Jr.’s impact on the game should not only be credited to his talent but the coolness of his tresses. He’s not the first to wear his particular style but the flair with which he does it is unrivaled.

Due to a wrist injury, we don’t know when we will see him on the field for this upcoming season, but I have no doubt that upon his return Fernando’s ombré dreadlocks will once again make their case for best hair in sports. Bay Area rap legend E-40 once told us, “Jesus Christ had dreads, so shake ‘em” and if you catch a glimpse of Fernando Tatís Jr. and his luxurious hair in the San Diego Padres’ dugout, you might just have a spiritual experience.

Check out who else was nominated for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and who else won in all the major categories in the 2022 FanSided Sports Oscars.