The New York Yankees made the surprising announcement on Friday that they are loosening their longstanding appearance policy, and everyone had the same reaction to the news.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement that the team will now allow players and uniformed personnel to have “well-groomed beards.” That is a significant change to the previous appearance policy, which was implemented by the late George Steinbrenner — Hal’s father — when George bought the Yankees in 1973.
The Yankees previously prohibited players from having any facial hair other than mustaches.
Most people agree that George Steinbrenner, who died in 2010, would not be happy that his appearance policy is now more lenient.
George Steinbrenner is rolling over in his grave.
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Devin Williams was the most recent player to shave his beard after joining the Yankees. The All-Star closer created a buzz this week when he was seen with some facial hair at spring training.
There have been countless players over the years who have had to alter their image after being acquired by the Yankees. One pitcher was barely recognizable after he signed with the Bronx Bombers last year because of the way he had to change his look.
Hal Steinbrenner did not mention anything about changing the Yankees’ policy on long hair, so that may still be banned. Either way, fans are confident that Hal’s old man is not too proud at the moment.
