PHOENIX -- There are plenty of adjectives that have been used to describe D-backs outfielder Eric Byrnes: Gamer, charismatic, zany, personable, etc.

Now it appears you can add trend-setter to the list.

Byrnes grew a mustache during a 14-game hitting streak in April, and he declared 2008 as the "The Year of the Mustache." After the streak ended, he shaved it off, and it appeared that would be the end of the story.

Marlins reliever Justin Miller, Byrnes' friend and former teammate at Triple-A Sacramento, though, saw the story, and with the Florida bullpen performing beyond expectations, it picked up the torch and ran with it.

"He's always had a mustache since he was like 12 years old," Byrnes said of Miller. "I guess he had read something I said about the mustache I grew, and he thought it was the greatest thing ever, because I used to make fun of him for his mustache."

So Miller sent Byrnes a text message that read in part: "2008, The Year of the Mustache, the Marlins' bullpen is all in."

Byrnes found out just how committed it was when he caught a Marlins game on TV.

"I watched the game a few days ago, and sure enough, there's a couple with these handlebar mustaches," Byrnes said.

Unfortunately, the Marlins' bullpen gave up nine runs over four innings on Wednesday, and when the relievers returned to their lockers after the game, they found razors courtesy of manager Fredi Gonzalez.

The handlebar mustaches are gone, but the relievers are still sporting some facial hair.

"I'm glad to see it caught on," Byrnes said with a smile. "Justin Miller is exactly the person I thought would jump in on something like this."