Ban binned, Yankees bring beards back to the Bronx

The New York Yankees have dropped their ban on beards, nearly half-a-century after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of 'The Boss', announced the change of policy on Friday before the team's spring training opener.

"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," Steinbrenner said in a statement.

"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."

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 ahead of the 2024 season.

The policy on player appearance includes the length of their mane -- stating "hair cannot touch the uniform collar" -- and came about in 1976.

When George Steinbrenner died in 2010, his daughter and Yankees managing partner, Jennifer, insisted the team's rule not be changed.

A generational shift that came too late for infamously shaggy stars such as Johnny Damon and Randy Johnson takes effect immediately.

With Reuters