New York Yankees reverse strict decades-old facial hair policy

The New York Yankees have reversed a 49-year-old facial hair policy to allow their players and staff to now sport “well-groomed beards”.

Under previous club regulations a players’ hair was not allowed to touch their collars and although moustaches were allowed, beards were not permitted.

Chairman Hal Steinbrenner announced the change on Friday prior to the team’s spring training opener after speaking to a ”large number of former and current Yankees”.

He added: “It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.

“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.”

The former rules dating back to 1976 were imposed by Steinbrenner’s father George, whose hands on approach to ownership of the franchise earned him the nickname, ‘The Boss’.

The strict appearance code has been heavily criticised in recent years by both the media and players that have appeared for the 27-time World Series winners.

Former player Don Mattingly was famously benched and fined by the Yankees in 1991 for refusing to cut his hair.

And as recently as Monday, the Yankees had left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean shaven the following morning for photo day.

Closer Devin Williams, acquired in an off-season trade from Milwaukee, had hair on his chin for his photo.

Outfielder Alex Verdugo was forced to trim his previously long hair when he was traded to the Yankees before the 2024 season.