The New York Yankees have officially announced a change to their long-standing grooming policy, allowing players to grow beards for the first time in decades.
The organization released a statement from managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, who addressed the decision and provided insight into the reasoning behind the amendment.
“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,” Steinbrenner stated.
He emphasized that the discussions leading up to this decision have been ongoing for several years. “These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years,” he continued. “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.”
Steinbrenner acknowledged the deep tradition associated with the Yankees’ grooming rules but expressed confidence that this was the right moment to modernize the policy. “It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy,” he concluded.
The Yankees’ facial hair policy dates back to 1973, when a group of investors led by George Steinbrenner—Hal’s father—purchased the team from CBS. Shortly after acquiring the franchise, they instituted a rule requiring players to maintain a clean-shaven appearance, with the exception of neatly trimmed mustaches. The policy was seemingly aimed at Yankees players at the time, such as Sparky Lyle, Thurman Munson, Fritz Peterson, and Roy White, whose facial hair styles were considered too unkempt.
For decades, the policy has been a topic of debate among fans, players, and even broadcasters. Some have argued that the rule upheld the Yankees’ tradition of professionalism, while others viewed it as an outdated restriction that may have deterred certain players from signing with the team.
Former MLB outfielder and current broadcaster Cameron Maybin voiced his opinion on the matter in 2023, stating that he believed the rule was actually a disadvantage for the Yankees in attracting top talent. “This might be an unpopular take to Yankees fans, but you’d be surprised how much more attractive the Yankees would be if they got rid of that facial hair rule,” Maybin said.
“You wouldn’t believe how many quality players just think it’s a wack rule to have,” he added. “I mean, c’mon, we’re coming up on 2024—let that go already, and I swear it would be more appealing.”
With this long-anticipated change now in effect, the Yankees take a step toward modernization while still emphasizing professionalism, as players will be required to keep their beards well-groomed.
