SPORTSNET.CA

If the moustache was a statistical category, New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi would be an all-star.

The American Mustache Institute is backing Giambi as one of five AL candidates in the "Final Vote" competition, which adds a player to each league's team after fan and player voting selected the starters and reserves.

"Giambi's significant first-half production as well as his powerful lip fur -- indicating great intellect and good looks -- make two very compelling reasons for his place on the American League All-Star roster," Aaron Perlut, executive director of The American Mustache Institute, said in a press release. "It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that Jason Giambi's hitting prowess, plus a fashionable mustache, equals a bona fide All-Star."

Giambi was batting .256 (63-for-246) with 13 doubles, 18 home runs, 53 RBIs in 78 games this season, leading the Yankees in walks, tying for tops in homers, and ranking second in RBIs.

The four other candidates competing against Giambi for the final spot include White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, Royals outfielder Jose Guillen, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, and Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts.

Dye is the only other candidate to sport the lip fur.