Source: Julio Aguilar / Getty
After decades of having a “clean shaven” policy for their players, the New York Yankees are finally getting with the times (kinda) and allowing their baseball superstars to grow beards and look like manly men when taking the field going forward.
According to Daily Mail, New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced Friday (Feb. 21) that he was reversing George Steinbrenner’s age-old policy of having his players hit the field with no mustache or beard, which in turn alienated many star free agents over the years who love their facial hair as much as they love their money. Though Steinbrenner made it clear that said bears would have to be well-groomed, at least Yankees players and potential free agents now have the option of growing their designer stubbles when playing for the Bronx Bombers.
Per Daily Mail:
The full statement reads: ‘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.
‘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.
‘It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.’
Well, that only took four decades.
Naturally, fans were overjoyed with the rule change as many free agents have balked at signing with the Yankees based off the rule alone while others have joined the Yankees and shaven off their signature facial hair to look, well, kind of corny. Just sayin’.
In recent years, the policy had been described as outdated by many of its critics, and players who have left the franchise have repeatedly criticized it.
Among the most vocal critics were Andrew McCutchen and Clint Frazier, while some other players from around the league have even claimed they would not join the Yankees purely because of the ruling.
With the LA Dodgers building a super-duper squad out in Los Angeles and Juan Soto famously choosing the Mets over the Yankees, it looks like Hal Steinbrenner is taking no chances on missing out on any potential superstar free agent going forward and has taken the first step in ensuring that they can offer their potential target the most simplest of enjoyments, a full grown and well-groomed beard.
If Cashman can get the team an excellent world-renowned barber to park his talents at Yankees Stadium, it might be a wrap for the rest of the league going forward. Who wouldn’t wanna sign with the Bronx Bombers?
What do y’all think about the Yankees move on having players rock beards? Let us know in the comments section below.
Source: Julio Aguilar / Getty
After decades of having a “clean shaven” policy for their players, the New York Yankees are finally getting with the times (kinda) and allowing their baseball superstars to grow beards and look like manly men when taking the field going forward.
According to Daily Mail, New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced Friday (Feb. 21) that he was reversing George Steinbrenner’s age-old policy of having his players hit the field with no mustache or beard, which in turn alienated many star free agents over the years who love their facial hair as much as they love their money. Though Steinbrenner made it clear that said bears would have to be well-groomed, at least Yankees players and potential free agents now have the option of growing their designer stubbles when playing for the Bronx Bombers.
Per Daily Mail:
The full statement reads: ‘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.
‘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.
‘It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.’
Well, that only took four decades.
Naturally, fans were overjoyed with the rule change as many free agents have balked at signing with the Yankees based off the rule alone while others have joined the Yankees and shaven off their signature facial hair to look, well, kind of corny. Just sayin’.
In recent years, the policy had been described as outdated by many of its critics, and players who have left the franchise have repeatedly criticized it.
Among the most vocal critics were Andrew McCutchen and Clint Frazier, while some other players from around the league have even claimed they would not join the Yankees purely because of the ruling.
With the LA Dodgers building a super-duper squad out in Los Angeles and Juan Soto famously choosing the Mets over the Yankees, it looks like Hal Steinbrenner is taking no chances on missing out on any potential superstar free agent going forward and has taken the first step in ensuring that they can offer their potential target the most simplest of enjoyments, a full grown and well-groomed beard.
If Cashman can get the team an excellent world-renowned barber to park his talents at Yankees Stadium, it might be a wrap for the rest of the league going forward. Who wouldn’t wanna sign with the Bronx Bombers?
What do y’all think about the Yankees move on having players rock beards? Let us know in the comments section below.