Photographs, beards, sports entertainment, 1810-2009
The results are in from the Final Four and it wasn't even close:
#1 vs #6
J. Ludwig Riedesel -- 6 votes
Jasper Bridge -- 2 votes
Riedesel held court and continues an impressive tournament run. Compared to Tichenor, Riedesel's been up against some tough lower-seeded competition. Don't be decieved by the lower vote totals, The Diesel might have swept this round had it not been for John and Anna U shamelessly voting for their dear kin, gentleman Jasper.
#2 vs #6
Captain William Tichenor -- 7 votes
James Higgins -- 1 vote
Captain Tichenor mopped the floor with ol' James Higgins. Higgins only recieved one vote which came from Ryan A, who fell hard for the Irishman's charm. The dominance of Tichenor in this round was stated best by Kent C: "[Tichenor's] eyes seem to just be searching the horizon for bearded men to take down a notch, while Higgins looks as though he just sighted Tichenor's ship bearing down on him with all sails set, and is wishing he hadn't drank that second cup of potsum!"
So folks, this brings us right back to where this contest started three weeks ago: Tichenor challenging Riedesel for the hairy crown.
CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
#1 J. Ludwig Riedesel vs #2 Captain William Tichenor
By now you know a great deal about these men. At this stage of the contest, there isn't much more I can say; you'll have to go with your gut. I will say that I started this contest as an elaborate way to prove to Seth L that my great-great-great grandfather is cooler than his great-great-great grandfather and I'm confident that the voter's will make the correct decision.
Voting will close at midnight PST on Monday, April 13th. The voting criteria is the same as previous rounds. You can learn more about the competition and the previous rounds in the Beards archive.
The winning great-great-great grandfather's spirit will get to hold the title of Greatest Beard of All Time for a period of one year or until this contest is held again.
Update: Tuesday 11:48 am PST, The voting closed last night at midnight. This is a close one. The votes are being counted and recounted and a winner should be announced later today. Stay tuned!
Listen, it is visually clear that Ludwig lacks a certain mid-beard thickness, hidden by the general bulk of his outer beard. Tichenor has the middle line covered, with his silver spade of a goatee. But Ludwig is not ashamed. he knows his side fur is powerful. What of Tichenor? He does not grow out the side fur: we don't know if he can. Perhaps he can. But I see fear in the bald sides of his face. He leans on the goatee for power. We will see if it is power enough.
Posted by: Seth L | April 12, 2009 at 12:13 AM
The greatest beard award must in this contest be awarded to The Tich. I cannot abide Ludwig's sculpted beard even though the curly hair has much appeal. Ben C.'s beard continues to grow longer and bushier and by the time he is a grandfather it should be down to his ankles. Then we'll see who has the ability to win this contest.
Posted by: Chris C. | April 12, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Ludwig! Ludwig!! Ludwig!!! He has a full beard! I don't what old man Tich is trying to pull off with that chin beaver, but it is not going to win him this match.
Posted by: Ryan | April 13, 2009 at 08:30 AM
At first I liked Tichenor. But the free one-week preview of MLB Extra Innings reminded me of a few things:
A: http://www.midwestsportsfans.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/bobby-jenks-pink-goatee.jpg
B: http://msn.foxsports.com/fe/img/MLB/Headshots/140x170/7279.jpg
C: http://www.survivinggrady.com/uploaded_images/clembeard-765240.jpg
These need to stop.
A vote for Riediesel is a vote against Matt Clement's beard.
Posted by: Carl W | April 13, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Wow, Carl almost convinced me to go with Riediesel, but I'm sticking with Tichenor. The size and majesty of his goatee would stand out in any generation. Truly a wonderful chin beaver.
Chris C, I agree. Ben C could easily win this contest NEXT YEAR if his beard keeps growing at its current pace.
Posted by: John U | April 13, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Reidiesel! I'm such a traitor.
Posted by: Teresa U | April 13, 2009 at 01:40 PM
Tichenor!
Posted by: Ellen | April 13, 2009 at 02:37 PM
Tichenor! Not only is this my middle name but I also have to be loyal to my blood!
Posted by: Anna U | April 13, 2009 at 04:18 PM
I'm with carl--J. Ludwig Riediesel.
Posted by: Nick L. | April 13, 2009 at 05:16 PM
This is really tough, because I truly have love for both of these great beards. But I have to go with my gut, as John so eloquently reminded me: Tichenor.
Posted by: Lila | April 13, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Holy cow, the score is tied 5-5 with a little over four hours to go!
Most of Tichenor's support is coming from the West coast. Will this time zone advantage come into play?
Posted by: John U | April 13, 2009 at 06:46 PM
This is about so much more than the beards at this point. No wonder these two made it to the finals. Such striking faces, piercing eyes, distinctive schnozes, (and Tich's giant ears -- or ear, I can't be sure -- what's up with that?). Hollywood denies us so many interesting human features to look at. I live close to Hell-wood. I will fight this Satan.
In other news, I'm voting for The Diesel Riediesel. It's a gut thing.
Posted by: Morit G | April 13, 2009 at 07:36 PM
In light of this post,
http://quietmoment.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/04/mandatory-mustache-a-new-york-metsinspired-arts-culture-and-mens-fashion-journal.html
and a comment I made to John in an email not too long ago, I propose that the next facial-hair themed contest be "My dad's mustache in the 1970s." I can already think of 3 worthy candidates just off the top of my lip.
Posted by: Morit G | April 13, 2009 at 07:41 PM
I got an itch for.. Tich!
Posted by: julia w | April 13, 2009 at 08:05 PM
Wow, down to the wire! At first I was going to go with the Tichenor purely due to the fact that his beard-papa looks like a waterfall draining out his lower lip, but then after staring at these photos for well over 2 hours I must change it up and go the other way. My vote is for Riediesel, for three reasons: 1) his Farah Faucett hairdo, 2) the look on his face that screams "monsters keep eating my babies!" and, 3) that wondrous br'er patch beard that deserves its own theme song.
Godspeed J. Ludwig! Godspeed!
Posted by: Nico Crisafulli | April 13, 2009 at 08:25 PM
And for best modern beard may I nominate Sam Beam from Iron & Wine?
http://tinyurl.com/dg6dky
Posted by: Nico Crisafulli | April 13, 2009 at 08:32 PM
the diesel!
Posted by: kevin r | April 13, 2009 at 08:54 PM
I looked at these beards a lot. I think the J. Ludwig beard has a really good Rasputin-y vibe. I feel like there were definitely be more soup stuck in that beard. The Tichenor beard is certainly of a commanding length, but probably wisped around in the breeze. J. Ludwig's berad has a real Grizzly Adams, against-the-elements, crumb-collecting capacity. My vote's with J. Ludwig.
Posted by: Mark J | April 13, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Who are you Tichenors? Captain William was my great great grandpa too. I live in Oregon, on the NW coast.
The picture you posted is cool. Immediately I could see the Tichenor in his face. Looks just like my grandpa Bruce... the oldest Tichenor I used to hang out with.
Posted by: Jake | February 28, 2013 at 10:37 AM