Ex-MLB player says 1 Yankees rule has turned off free agents

Aug 14, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of a New York Yankees hat and glove on the bench against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

One-time New York Yankees player Cameron Maybin gave his former team a piece of advice Thursday on how to attract more free agents.

Maybin, who played for the Yankees during the 2019 season, wants the team to end their longstanding rule on facial hair. For decades, the Yankees have banned their players from keeping any facial hair beyond a well-groomed mustache.

The 36-year-old former outfielder shared his “unpopular take” on X. Maybin claimed that players he had spoken to throughout his 14-year career consider the policy to be “wack” and long overdue to be removed.

“You’d be surprised how much more attractive the Yankees would be if they got rid of that facial hair rule,” Maybin posted on X. “You wouldn’t believe how many quality players just think it’s a wack rule to have. I mean cmon we’re coming up on 2024 let that go already, and I swear it would be more appealing.”

This might be an unpopular take to Yankees fans, but you’d be surprised how much more attractive the Yankees would be if they got rid of that facial hair rule. You wouldn’t believe how many quality players just think it’s a wack rule to have. I mean cmon we’re coming up on 2024…

— Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) December 7, 2023

Former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner instituted a strict appearance policy on the team back in 1973. Players were not allowed to grow facial hair aside from a mustache. Players were also barred from growing their hair beyond the collar of their pinstriped uniforms.

Steinbrenner’s policy was meant to instill a sense of discipline into the team’s players. The Yankees’ appearance policy is still being implemented to this day.

There have been All-Star players in the past who have admitted to not wanting to join the Yankees due to the appearance policy.

The Yankees’ appearance policy, however, has yet to hurt the team in its pursuit of one of the biggest free agents this offseason. It also hasn’t historically kept them from signing many free agents, such as Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon in recent years, or even the bearded former Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon several years ago.