Q: Watching the World Series, I noticed most of the Boston players have beards. Is there a reason the Red Sox have all this facial hair?
—Joni Pelta, Atlanta
A: The beards are a sign of the team's camaraderie and bond. Outfielder Jonny Gomes had a beard in spring training, prompting other players to begin growing them. Now most of Boston's players have beards, vowing not to shave until after the World Series, if then. "That stuff is totally irrelevant to baseball," Gomes told the Boston Globe. "But if everybody gets on the same page, maybe it does help. Good teams seem to have certain music or ways they celebrate. Quirky things can bring people together." The team sold out Fenway Park for "Beard Night" in September, and the Red Sox players often tug each other's beards after clutch hits or great plays. "It's a signature for this team," Boston manager John Farrell told the paper. "It's a bonding element. You have to have ways to have fun sometimes."
Q: Did Maya Rudolph play the role of a co-worker George Costanza sometimes dated in “Seinfeld?” If I remember correctly, she was “too tanned.”
—Donald Varn, Conyers
A: Illeana Douglas played Loretta, a secretary at George's office who had a crush on him, but she was "too tanned" in a 1998 episode called "The Strong Box." "It's the middle of the winter, she's like a carrot," George said in the episode. Douglas has appeared in many movies and TV shows, including "Cape Fear," "Goodfellas," "To Die For," "Entourage," "Ugly Betty" and "Six Feet Under."
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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