In a home run for New York Yankees fans, the team’s players are finally allowed to have facial hair.
“In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback,” Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the Yankees, shared in a statement via Instagram on Friday, February 21. “These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years.”
Steinbrenner, 55, continued, “Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”
The policy was initially put in place in 1976 by Hal’s father and former Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, who died in 2010 at age 80. Along with no beards, the appearance policy also stated that players weren’t allowed to have hair that touches their collars.
“I have nothing against long hair per se, but I’m trying to instill a certain sense of order and discipline in the ball club because I think discipline is important in an athlete,” George, who purchased the team in 1973, explained during a 1978 interview with The New York Times.
Many current players have changed their appearances to abide by the team’s standards. Pitcher Gerrit Cole, for example, cut off his signature curly locks when signing to the Yankees in 2020.
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“I haven’t shaved in like 10 years, but you know what? So be it,” Cole said in December 2019. “That’s the way it is. If you’re a Yankee, you shave. That’s what’s up.”
Outfielder Alex Verdugo shaved his beard after leaving the Boston Red Sox to play for the Yankees during the 2024 season. Johnny Damon, Nick Swisher and Jason Giambi, among others, also shaved prior to making their Yankees debuts.
Some former Yankees have spoken out after leaving the team, publicly criticizing the beard policy. Other MLB stars, like David Price and Brian Wilson, even refused to join the team because they didn’t want to shave off their beards.
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Yankees alum Clint Frazier, who was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2022, previously took a subtle shot at the no-beard rule via social media.
“First off, these uniforms are soooo sick! i’m so excited to join the @Cubs — one of the biggest reasons I chose to come here was the fan base and how electric you guys can be towards your players,” he shared via X in December 2021. “I’ll be just as electric for you guys too. Here’s to leaving my razor at home.”
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