Masterson goes a cut above for charity

CLEVELAND -- For Justin Masterson and James Godshall, hair is overrated.

Godshall, a 14-year-old from Willowick, Ohio, had his head shaved by Masterson in the Indians dugout on Tuesday before Cleveland hosted the White Sox. The youngster's latest haircut came after his father won an auction in May through Tribe Treasures, one of two annual fundraisers put on by the Indians Wives Association. Masterson's wife, Meryl, made the "styling" abilities of her husband available for one lucky fan.

"It was pretty cool," Godshall said. "I was really wanting it to get this short. I just didn't know if it would actually happen."

Godshall didn't find out his ears would be lowered by a Major League player until last week, when his father revealed it to him for his birthday. The timing couldn't have been better, as Godshall has swim championships coming up.

Before Masterson busted out the shaving cream and razor, he had to buzz Godshall's head with a set of clippers. After removing a few prominent clumps of hair, the All-Star pitcher stopped and said, "There ya go! It's perfect."

Masterson, a perennial jokester, continued the trimming, all the while answering questions about his own hair history. Growing up, he wanted to either have dreadlocks or a shaved head. Long hair wasn't very becoming on him, so the Mr. Clean look he donned for Halloween one year stuck.

And now, thanks to his efforts, Masterson has a bald buddy.

"We could have had some more stuff as far as a hot towel and some other things that would have made this a perfect head shave," Masterson said. "But for the overall sense, he didn't bleed too much, which is always a tough thing the first time you shave a head. I think it went well. He looks good, and it's nice and smooth."