The Yankee Way: A New Facial Hair Policy

After years of lobbying from executives, players, and fans, it has finally happened: the Yankees have adjusted their long-standing facial hair policies. The public was informed of this decision just before 9 a.m. today, in a statement released by Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner. The statement detailed that “[The Yankees] will be amending expectations to allow players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.” Steinbrenner added “It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.” 

The policy, which many have considered to be outdated, was implemented in 1976 by then Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. He believed that regulation of his players' appearance would instill discipline. Specifically, the rule prohibited hair beyond the collar of the jersey, and facial hair beyond the upper lip. At the time that the rule was first enforced it wasn’t that outlandish. No MLB player had sported a mustache since 1936, until Dick Allen grew his out in 1970. In 1972 Reggie Jackson became the first player to sport a beard since 1936, with other Athletics players following suit, earning the team the nickname “The Mustache Gang”.

Steinbrenner had acquired the Yankees a year later in 1973, and still remained in the belief that players should not sport facial hair (or long hair). His policy was influenced by the former rule of the Reds which prohibited facial hair from 1967-1999. However, as time went on, the rest of the league adapted and allowed players more freedom and individuality with their appearance. 

The Yankees, on the other hand, had remained hard stuck in enforcing this rule until today. Each time a player with a beard or “unkept hair” was acquired, they’d be forced to change their entire appearance just to fit the Yankee mold. Current players would noticeably grow out beards in the offseason, just to be forced to shave by the time spring training came around. 

Former Yankees players have spoken out against the policy's limitations in the past, with Andrew McCutchen stating, “I definitely do think [the policy] takes away from our individualism as players and as people”. McCutchen was forced to shave his beard after being acquired at the 2018 trade deadline, and immediately grew it back out with the Phillies the following season. 

Former Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier added, “I don’t miss being told how I had to look for the last five years”, after joining the Cubs in 2022. 

Players have long felt that the rule alienates them and their individual choices. At the start of this year's Spring Training, newly acquired closer Devin Williams showed up to camp still sporting his beard. In response to social media chatter about having to shave, Williams responded by saying, “Everyone’s got an opinion, so, it is what it is”. One must wonder if that opinion had a role to play in the Yankees decision to amend their facial hair policy. 

The newly enacted policy is set to go in place immediately, and it’s safe to say we will see some beards down in Tampa at Steinbrenner field. Perhaps the change in policy will lead to a tighter bond among teammates or a feeling of family. Players may feel more comfortable playing for the Yankees, and may even play better. We’ve seen trivial things affect player performance before. One question remains, however. What classifies as a well groomed beard?

(Statistics found in: nbcsports.com, mlb.com)

Quotes found via: New York Yankees (Steinbrenner), The Sports Bubble Podcast (McCutchen), The Chicago Sun Times (Frazier), Bryan Hoch (Williams)

Cover photo credit: Ken Kraetzer via flickr