For almost 50 years, the New York Yankees had a strict no-facial-hair policy. Recently, this changed dramatically. Thanks to a new arrival and some influential discussions, owner Hal Steinbrenner decided to allow players to grow beards.
Yankees closer Devin Williams was one of the key players in this shift. After his offseason trade from the Milwaukee Brewers, he arrived at spring training in Tampa and faced an unexpected challenge: shaving off his beloved beard. He felt so different that he hardly recognized himself and took his concerns to manager Aaron Boone.
Williams, stressing how important it is for players to feel comfortable and confident, shared his feelings with general manager Brian Cashman. They discussed the unfairness of the policy, which allowed some facial styles while banning others. Williams argued that keeping the rule could deter players from joining the Yankees simply due to their style choices. After multiple conversations with former stars like Ron Guidry and current players like Aaron Judge, Steinbrenner realized the rule needed to change.
“Winning was the priority for my father,” Steinbrenner said. “If we were missing out on players because of an old rule, it was worth reconsidering.”
When the announcement came on Friday that players could now have “well-groomed beards,” it sparked excitement throughout the team. Gerrit Cole, who had worn a beard with previous teams, stated, “It’s a big deal. I feel part of this legacy while also moving forward.” Williams plans to let his beard grow back soon and appreciates the consideration he received from management.
This change opens up a new chapter for the Yankees. No longer will players need to stay clean-shaven to fit an outdated image. They can express themselves while still wearing the iconic Yankees jersey. As Aaron Boone, now the manager, put it, “It was time for this.”
India
From India to Australia: How One Commentator Found Their True Sense of Belonging