The New York Yankees’ repeal of their facial hair policy is simply business

Ending their decades-long ban on facial hair and bringing beards back to the Bronx had to be done to prop up New York’s declining competitive advantage

One of the last vestiges of George Steinbrenner era is finally over. The in-house (that Ruth built) rule that denied New York Yankees players the right to wear beards on baseball diamonds from the 1970s on is done and dusted, not unlike like The Boss himself, who died at 80 back in 2010. It’s the latest move showing that the new boss, George’s son Hal, who axed the 49-year-old rule on Friday, will do everything he can to differentiate himself from the old Boss, his dad.

“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 said in a statement. “These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years.

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New York Yankees announce change to longstanding facial hair policy

Yankees will allow players to wear ‘well-groomed beards’ Strict policy was imposed by George Steinbrenner in 1976 The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards Friday, 49 years after it was ...
The Guardian - 1d
New York Yankees reverse decades-old facial hair policy, will allow 'well-groomed beards'

New York Yankees players will finally be able to sport beards, the team announced on Friday, shaving the club's "outdated" and "unreasonable" grooming policy.
NBC News - 22h
Current and Former Yankees React to New Facial Hair Policy: ‘It’s a Big Deal’

“My initial reaction is I feel weird,” said New York catcher Austin Wells. “I don’t know how to go forward.”
The New York Times - 2h
Yankees amend long-standing facial hair policy, will now allow 'well-groomed beards'

The policy, instituted in the 1970s by George Steinbrenner, forced players to trim their hair upon joining the team.
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10 Yankees players who were most impacted by team's facial hair policy: Johnny Damon, Randy Johnson, more

With the Yankees lifting their ban on beards, we're looking at 10 notable players who were forced to shave
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Yankees change infamous facial hair policy: Players can now have 'well-groomed beards,' Hal Steinbrenner says

Hal Steinbrenner is making a change to his father's longstanding appearance policy
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The Yankees can no longer rely on aura, tradition and bottomless caches of cash to nab the top free agents.
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Between the Cincinnati Reds' hair policy and the Chicago Bulls' headband ban, the Yankees aren't the only ones with a history of antiquated rules.
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