It lived a life most of us would envy. But, in the end, the luxurious mustache worn by St. Louis Cardinals outfield Rick Ankiel never really had a chance and ended up in a bathroom basin, dead after less than a week of life.

As reported by Deadspin founder Will Leitch from Turner Field on April 27, Ankiel shaved his mustache which had helped him increase his batting average some 80 points.

In memory of it's passing, the American Mustache Institute coordinated a candlelight vigil Tuesday night along the Mississippi River underneath the world's largest mustache -- St. Louis' Gateway Arch.

During the ceremony, AMI's chief executive officer, Dr. Abraham J. Froman, was clearly shaken.

"We salute Mr. Ankiel for having the gumption and good looks required to grow a high quality lip canvas when many said he couldn't," said Dr. Froman. "Sadly, his actions have disappointed us all, most notably, his upper lip. Now, his mouth brow is gone and there's a void above his lip and in the hearts of the Mustached American community everywhere."

Ankiel, the former pitcher turned outfielder, grew his mustache in controversy. Teammate Albert Pujols had petitioned and was denied by Major League Baseball the opportunity to  shave his goatee into a true flavor saving mustache for fear that adding a performance enhancing mustache would give him too much of an advantage and possibly endanger opposing National League pitchers..

The exploits of Ankiel's labia sebucula (Latin for "lip sweater") were cheered by mustache wearers across the U.S. and beyond who saw in Little Ricky the kind of role model that emerges once in a generation. His chevron-style mustache was reminiscent of a young Tommy Selleck, and it was beginning to set him apart from the rest of the league which has  largely deserted the mustache since the early 1980s.

As the defender of mustache rights, The American Mustache Institute saluted Ankiel, pointing to the need for diversity on the diamond and beyond. But, it wasn't enough and Punky Rickster gave into the pressure and shaved.

"Sadly, despite AMI's efforts, a mustache was shaved yesterday," added Dr. Froman. "And as written in the Dead Sea Scrolls, every time a mustache is shaved, an angel in heaven dies and falls to earth, which is a shame. Our prayers are, of course, with the family."

The American Mustache Institute has established a fund in memory of Ricky Riboflavin's mustache that will be used to educate young people about the merits of facial hair. Contributions are being accepted through the AMI website.

"Never forget, a mustache is a terrible thing to shave," a resigned Froman closed.

 Carry on.