The New York Yankees have ended a nearly five-decade-old tradition that prohibited players from growing facial hair other than mustaches. The team’s new policy, announced by owner Hal Steinbrenner, allows “well-groomed beards” for players.
Steinbrenner spoke with former and current players about the long-standing policy before making the change. The decision comes after criticism from some players and fans over the years. The ban was first implemented in the 1970s by George Steinbrenner, who wanted to instill discipline in the team.
Players like Don Mattingly, Andrew McCutchen, and David Price had previously spoken out against the policy due to its restrictive nature. Some even refused to join the team or were deterred from joining due to their facial hair preferences. The change marks a shift towards greater flexibility for players, allowing them to express themselves in new ways.
The new policy is an update on Steinbrenner’s previous comments about updating the team’s internal dialogue and policies. The move comes after pitcher Devin Williams was spotted with a beard during an official team photo, sparking renewed attention on the topic.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/21/ny-yankees-beard-ban-is-over.html