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Hernandez bids farewell to famous mustache

NEW YORK -- An American icon is gone -- at least until it grows back, that is.

Former Mets All-Star and current SNY analyst Keith Hernandez bid farewell to his iconic mustache on Thursday outside of Citi Field's Jackie Robinson Rotunda prior to the Mets' final home game of the season.

Hernandez had his facial hair shaved by a barber in front of hundreds of fans, all hoping to catch a glimpse of what he looked like without his most famous feature.

"I want to thank all of my fans who supported my mustache over the years, but it's time for it to take a back seat and give my upper lip some time to shine," Hernandez said in a press release.

The event -- presented by Schick Hydro -- was for a good cause. Hernandez and Schick partnered to donate $10,000 to a foundation close to his heart: The Jacquelyn Hernandez Adult Day Health Center for patients with Alzheimer's disease. The center is named after Hernandez's mother, who suffered from Alzheimer's and passed away in 1989 at just 52 years of age.

"While it was a difficult decision, I was thrilled to hear that Schick Hydro stepped up to not only properly shave my award-winning mustache, but most importantly to donate $10,000 to a charity that is very close to my heart," he said."

Fans can enter for a chance to win the commemorative Schick Hydro Power Select razor handle used to shave the mustache, as well as an autographed baseball, at SNY's official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/SNY.