MESA, Ariz. _ John Lackey "didn't come here for a haircut." He came here for jewelry, he said.
The Cubs right-hander, who spoke those words last season when asked why he joined the team, will receive his ring in early April for the last year's World Series victory.
But he's still on haircut hiatus. Lackey was not among Cubs players to have his head shaved Saturday morning during manager Joe Maddon's annual "Respect Bald" event, which raised money for pediatric cancer research and programs.
Lackey was among many Cubs who donated, though.
Maddon, Anthony Rizzo, Albert Almora Jr. and Kyle Schwarber were among those who lost locks on a hillside next to Sloan Park, where chairs were set up and clippers buzzed. A select number of fans paid $100 to have their hair cut alongside team members.
"I really tried to nurture, fertilize, get it ready for the moment," Maddon said of his hair.
He was more impressed with two lesser-known players _ pitcher Pierce Johnson and catcher Taylor Davis _ who had the biggest bounties on their heads of hair. Players and coaches pitched in around $50,000 for the two to go under the clippers.
"We used to have the best battery of hair, pitcher and catcher," Johnson joked. "Now we don't have that.
"I don't think my neck has seen the sun in the past four years."
Davis, whose beard is now longer than what's left of his mane, said he hadn't had it cut since 2013. He Facetimed with his wife while his shoulder-length hair was placed in pigtails to prepare for cutting.
"We'll see if I still have a wife," Davis said with a laugh. "It was cool, especially when you get the cancer survivor sitting next to you. It's invigorating, to say the least."
Johnson speculated it might take him a year-and-a-half to grow his back.
"I was very nervous to say the least," Johnson said. 'Taylor and I talked about it and decided it would be a good thing to do. We'd tag-team it and shave it all off."
"It's too hard to say no with that kind of pot out there."
As for Lackey, well, maybe next year he'll get his haircut, after he gets his jewelry.
"That would be awesome," shortstop Addison Russell said.
