The Yankees are finally loosening their grip on facial hair. Players can now sport well-groomed beards, marking a significant shift from the organization’s decades-old policy that only allowed mustaches.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner announced the change after consulting with Yankees from different eras. “It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy,” he said in a statement that marks the end of one of baseball’s most recognizable team rules.
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 l appreciate their earnest and varied feedback. 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.
The strict grooming standards were put in place by Hal’s father, George Steinbrenner, and became as much a part of the Yankees’ identity as their pinstripes. Until now, the rules were clear: no facial hair except mustaches, and hair couldn’t grow below the collar. The only exceptions were for religious reasons.
Criticism of the policy has intensified lately, especially as the Yankees’ championship drought stretches on – they haven’t won a World Series since 2009. The timing feels right for a change that brings the organization more in line with modern player expectations.
What’s still unclear is whether the Yankees will also relax their rules about hair length. But for now, players can breath a little easier knowing they won’t need to keep their razors quite so handy.
