The New York Yankees are making a major change heading into the 2025 season, and it is one that the late George Steinbrenner probably would not appreciate.
In a surprising statement on Friday, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced that the team is changing its appearance policy that has been in place for nearly 50 years. The policy, which was implemented by George Steinbrenner, previously prohibited players from having any facial hair other than mustaches. The team also did not allow hair from the head to be grown below the collar.
The Yankees will now allow “well-groomed beards,” Hal Steinbrenner says. The decision to change the appearance policy was made after consulting with current and former players.
“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,” Steinbrenner wrote. “These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. 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.”
There have been countless players over the years who have had to alter their images 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.
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.
Steinbrenner’s new policy seems more in line with the way Derek Jeter felt when the Yankees legend was the CEO of the Miami Marlins.
The Yankees’ policy change did not mention anything about long hair, so that seems to still be prohibited.
While many players and fans disagreed with the Yankees’ no-beard policy, baseball purists will likely be upset by the loosening of the rules. The appearance policy was one of the many things that made baseball’s most legendary franchise unique.
