See These Yankees Stars With Beards – Why It’s Long Past Time for Them to Ax Their Ridiculous Anti-Beard Policy

The New York Yankees are the only team to still adhere to a rule set in an era when wide-bottomed pants and disco music were the biggest trends of the decade. The bizarre facial hair policy has existed for the past 47 years thanks to the previous owner. Strict grooming guidelines that don’t allow hair below the collar are easy to say, hard to perform – especially for players who have been tending to their imperial stubbles for a long time. But isn’t it high time the Yankees adapted to current times? 

First seen during the era of George “The Boss” Steinbrenner, the rule is still in practice, much to the dismay of many. The Bronx Bombers are well on their way to stepping into the half-a-century mark since the rule came into play. But is it time the club agreed to the majority crying about the absurdity of the no-beard rule?

New York Yankees against beards: A look into the Bronx’s age-old policy

According to Conduct Detrimental, a website specializing in Sports Laws, the team’s policy in question goes like this: “All players, coaches, and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches (except for religious reasons), and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. Long sideburns and ‘mutton chops’ are not specifically banned.”

Alex Verdugo, one of the Yankees’ recent trade additions, is one of the latest partakers of the policy. He used to don a sleek beard during his previous outfield tenure but of course, wearing pinstripes demanded him to shave the mass of curlies off. However, he is only one of the few players to give in so easily. The policy has cost the team talent and draft prospects in the past since its introduction.

When was the New York Yankees’ facial hair policy introduced? Who introduced it?

George Steinbrenner took the helm of the team back in 1973. However, it wasn’t until 3 years later that he was able to implement the policy after noticing players, that, according to him, were in dire need of a barber. The Boss might not be here, but his iron-fist rule remains.

For the Bronx Bombers, maintaining a policy created by a stakeholder who passed away 13 years ago, makes them a unique team. The questionability of the rule might make one wonder what exactly was Steinbrenner’s reasons behind implementing it.

What was the thought behind it: George Steinbrenner’s logic

For Papa Steinbrenner, it was a question of discipline more than maintaining a clean appearance. He believed that grooming the unnecessary weight off of his players’ faces might mean a better form on the diamond. The same law he had to adhere to himself during his days in the U.S. Air Force inspired the Boss.

Yes, the team did rule MLB under Steinbrenner’s leadership, and the no facial hair policy kept the players united. But it would be senseless to believe that not having beards is what made the Evil Empire dominate for decades.

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The Yankees’ golden eras between 1921-1928 and then again in 1951-1959, and their current record of not clinching a World Series title for the last 14 years, is heavy proof of the no-beard policy being far from detrimental to the team’s success. The Yanks still paid no heed to the fact and went on to penalize some of the biggest players under their banner for violating the mandate.

Were players penalized for violating the policy? Who were they?

There have been many instances of players like Andrew McCutchen and Johnny Damon shaving off upon entering the team. However, some stubborn ones have refused to change their facial appearance and have actually faced penalties.

The New York Yankees literally forced the rule down on one of the players for the first time when they fined and benched captain Don Mattingly repeatedly until he agreed to trim his sideburns. Before Mattingly’s stint, Captain and catcher Thurman Munson became rebellious by growing a beard in 1977, a year after the policy came into play. However, he shaved it off in a short while to not let his manager face the consequences of his actions. Not to forget the iconic Goose Gossage.

The former pitcher was another one who didn’t agree with the policy when in 1983, he obliged Steinbrenner by shaving his beard. But Gossage deliberately left an exaggerated handlebar mustache down his jawline as an intended provocation. The 72-year-old still sports the look today.

He wasn’t the only one, because McCutchen once stated, “I definitely do think it takes away from our individualism as players and as people,”  in a Sports Bubble podcast. How would the Yankees’ lineup look like today, if the current management had rendered the policy non-existent?

If changed: What the current core from Gerrit Cole to Glyber Torres to Alex Verdugo would look like

According to Inside Hook, Gerrit Cole once joked about having to shave for the team: “I have experienced razor burn for the first time in 10 years.” Remember Cole’s look during his Astros tenure? Imagine that powerful stance ruling Yankee Stadium.

Now, imagine a plethora of other players who are famous for their good looks while donning a beard – Glyber Torres, Carlos Rodon, new Yankee Alex Verdugo, and even captain Aaron Judge, playing under the team’s banner with their manes. Several examples exist whose performance before and after the New York Yankees’ initiation and shaving wasn’t affected. Yet another reason to get rid of the redundant policy.

More like a liability than a requirement: Reasons why they should change it

As Unhinged New York put it, the policy makes no sense in the 21st-century baseball world. The basic idea of donning a professional look has gone through a radical change since the time it was introduced.

Instances like Giancarlo Stanton, or CC Sabathia playing for a few days with a stubble adorning their face indicate that the members may not be very happy about the statute, either.

But more than anything, it may be costing them talent. GM Brian Cashman ousted closer Brian Wilson, famous for his long beard, from the team’s list of prospects almost a decade ago. Legendary pitcher David Price once refused to join the team due to the no-beard rule.

Read More: Gleyber Torres’ Touching Moment With Son Revives Debate Over Yankees’ Facial Hair Freeze

Former Yankee Cameron Maybin reflected on the setbacks on X, formerly Twitter, once. In his words, “You wouldn’t believe how many quality players just think it’s a wack rule to have.” A rule that has no use, considering there are multitudes of players who have proven how terrific they were at their games with faces full of fuzz.

Proof: From Gary Sheffield to Aaron Hicks, ex-Yankees players who excelled in Beards

Bronx fans are well aware of the disaster that was Aaron Hicks. Celebrations abounded when he was traded to the Orioles. Surprise surprise, he raged up a storm for a whole year in Baltimore. Was a bear all he needed? Maybe he wasn’t the only one.

Andrew Miller went on to become an AL MVP after leaving the Bronx. David Wells, Gary Sheffield, Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan – there are countless examples of bearded era victory for players after they freed themselves of the team’s facial hair policy.

Read More: Aaron Hicks and Josh Donaldson’s Beard-Infused Redemption Story, While Yankees Grapple with Clownish Misfortune

Crossing off the extra time and effort required to maintain their grooming proved to be highly beneficial for them. Considering the proof in hand, fans will see whether the Pinstripes make some changes to their rulebook in the coming years, or not.