The New York Yankees announced Friday that players should no longer be clean shaved.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement that players can maintain a “good care” whisker after discussing issues with current and previous players for several years.
The rules were founded in 1976 by George Steinbrenner, Hal's father, who said players could not have facial hair under their lower lip.
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New York Yankees broadcasters Michael Kay and John Sterling before a match against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on April 20, 2024 in New York, New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay, who will host radio shows later this week, was calling the first spring training game for the season and the franchise's new hair age team on Friday.
“I don't think it's an exaggeration. [It] It surprised the world of baseball,” he said.
One of the main reasons why teams unstoppable the rules is because it could discourage players from choosing the Yanks as their future destination.
“If we learn that the players who wanted us to make us better and get the championship don't want to be here, if he has the ability, then that policy He wouldn't come here for… it would Steinbrenner told reporters Friday.
Halstein Brenner is currently holding a press conference at Yankee Stadium. (Jessica Alcheh/USA Today Sports)
Manager Aaron Boone told reporters he heard the rumblings about policy changes. It should be noted that MLB's next major free agent, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., had the majority of his career.
Kay said that sentiment was his biggest point.
“I think that's the most important thing to say. [Steinbrenner] “We didn't want to be in the position to lose players we think we can help win because we didn't want to come here because of this rule.” And I think it's something the Yankees did. They went further than things,” Kay added.
“And I've always wondered, “If you're going to change the rules, there's very little need to change the rules before someone fights back against it. I'll go there because I don't want to shave, “That would look really bad.”
Judge Aaron of the New York Yankees is active against Minnesota twins at Yankee Stadium in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Yankees Hall of Fame CC Sabathia and Derek Jeter have both grown beards since their retirement. Players often grow facial hair when they leave the Yankees or during the offseason.
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