In the '70s and '80s, rock stars like David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Keith Richards, and Paul McCartney each rocked a mullet, which helped influence its popularity in various subcultures. As the hairstyle became more mainstream, it soon caught the attention of many MLB baseball players who embraced the style.
The 1980s represented the peak of the mullet and it was a big hit with baseball players. Players like John Kruk, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Randy Johnson, and Cory Snyder were known for their impressive mullets. The popularity of this hairstyle in baseball really showed what many players were like back then - they weren't afraid to be bold, self-assured, and a little bit different, both during the game and in their everyday lives.
Life was quite different back then. People loved to let loose and have fun. They didn't worry as much about always saying the right thing or following strict rules. It was a more free-spirited time, and this was reflected in the way people expressed themselves, including their hairstyles.
Indeed, the mullet matched this decade perfectly. In fact, the saying "business in the front, party in the back" pretty much summed up the 80s vibe. Similarly, the short hair in the front was professional and serious, mirroring the business-like approach players took to the game. But the long hair in the back was all about having fun and showing off a wild side, much like the lively parties and the free-wheeling lifestyle people enjoyed off the field.