NY Yankees Make Shocking Team Move
After 122 years of 'tradition', the New York Yankees have made a stunning reversal of team rules. The announcement was made by managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner.
Statement from Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner on the alteration of Yankees facial hair policy: pic.twitter.com/UdEuAg3gZy
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 21, 2025
Yes, the NY Yankees will finally allow facial hair on their players and employees. The "alteration of facial hair policy" deems that "after great consideration, we will be amending, our expectations to allow our players to have well-groomed beards moving forward.
"It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."
There will, of course, be many who will laugh at terms like "appropriate time" and "familiar comfort" in describing the move to actually allow grown men to have more hair on their face. But it took a break of 122 years of that "familiar comfort" to get there. Previously, only moustaches were allowed. The policy of no hair grown below the collar does remain in place.
Hal said he spoke to "a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives" on the longstanding facial hair policy, which led him to come to this conclusion.
As to what "well-groomed" means, GM Brian Cashman would only offer one clarification, per Gerrit Cole: "We're not trying to look like Duck Dynasty."
Quote of the day on the Yankees' new facial hair policy, via Gerrit Cole: pic.twitter.com/An44nReBW3
— Brendan Kuty 🧟♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 21, 2025
As noted in recent years, Yankees players' favorite offseason hobby was not golfing or fishing. "It (was) growing a beard".
George Steinbrenner must be turning in his grave.
Photo: © Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images
