The New York Yankees are finally changing their infamous facial hair policy. In an announcement made by Yankees’ owner Hal Steinbrenner, the franchise said it will now allow its players to sport “well-groomed beards.”
Since 1976, the Yankees had a strict policy in place that banned their players and staff from having beards and long hair. They had to be either clean-shaven or have well-maintained mustaches. Yankees then-owner George Steinbrenner believed this would instill a sense of discipline. The policy has drawn a lot of criticism, especially in recent years, for limiting the players’ ability to self-express and being outdated.
Steinbrenner decided it was time for a change after gathering feedback from former and current 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 said in a statement. “…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.”
Steinbrenner added that he also didn’t want potential free agents to be discouraged from joining the Yankees because of the policy although he reiterated that this wasn’t a deal-breaker in the past.
