One of the most outdated policies in sports is finally evolving, as the New York Yankees are relaxing their stance on facial hair, Bleacher Report’s Adam Wells reported.
In a statement from Yankees chairman Hal Steinbrenner on Friday, the club announced that players and uniformed personnel are now permitted to have “well-groomed beards,” effective immediately.
Statement from Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner on the alteration of Yankees facial hair policy: pic.twitter.com/UdEuAg3gZy
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 21, 2025
The Yankees adopted a strict ban on beards and long hair in 1973 under then-owner George Steinbrenner, who disliked how certain players appeared during the singing of the National Anthem.
Over the years, some players pushed back against the rule. Don Mattingly was famously benched in 1991 due to the length of his hair, an incident that was later parodied on The Simpsons.
The policy has drawn criticism over time, with some players, including former closer Brian Wilson and Cy Young winner David Price, openly stating they wouldn’t sign with the Yankees because of the restriction.
Andrew McCutchen, who joined the Yankees for the 2018 season’s stretch run, voiced his concerns, saying the policy “takes away from our individualism as players and as people.”
There was no legitimate reason for the policy to have persisted for so long, and while its removal took longer than necessary, this change marks a progressive step for the organization.
The post Yankees update facial hair policy, now allowing well-groomed beards first appeared on Fastbreak.
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