Big news for New York Yankees fans: the team has updated its long-standing facial hair policy! Owner Hal Steinbrenner shared that players can now have “well-groomed beards.” This change has been in the works for some time, following discussions with former and current players about grooming rules.
Steinbrenner expressed his gratitude for the feedback he received, saying, “These conversations have been a part of a longer internal dialogue.” After careful thought, he decided it’s time to let players grow their beards again, as long as they keep them well-groomed.
This policy change marks a significant shift from the tradition that started in the 1970s. Back then, George Steinbrenner and manager Billy Martin introduced the “Neatness Counts” rule, which banned beards, long hair, and sideburns, allowing only mustaches. Over the years, many players had to trim their hair or shave before joining the team. For instance, when Johnny Damon came to the Yankees in 2006, he knew he would have to visit a barber to meet the team’s standards.
Interestingly, some players chose not to join the Yankees because of this strict policy. Former closer Brian Wilson once told general manager Brian Cashman that he would not shave his beard to play for the team.
The first player to benefit from this updated policy is Devin Williams. After joining the Yankees, he was seen with a light beard in his official team photo, which he had grown while playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Yankees’ strict grooming rules have also been a source of humor over the years. A memorable example is from a 1992 episode of “The Simpsons,” where Don Mattingly gets kicked off his team for not shaving his sideburns. This scene was inspired by a real-life incident when Mattingly faced a similar situation with former Yankees manager Stump Merrill.
With this new policy, it seems the Yankees are ready to embrace a fresh look, blending tradition with a modern twist!
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