MLB
Yankees Announce Changes to Longstanding Facial Hair and Grooming Policies
Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.
Get to know Colin Lynch betterPublished21 Feb 2025
Yankees End Decades-Old Facial Hair Policy, Embrace Change
For nearly 50 years, wearing the Yankees’ iconic pinstripes came with a condition—clean-shaven faces, neatly trimmed hair, and no beards. That long-standing rule, a hallmark of the franchise since the 1970s, is no more.
On Thursday, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced that the team has amended its famous facial hair policy, now allowing players to sport “well-groomed beards.” It’s a significant shift for a franchise that has a long-valued tradition, one that has forced players to shave upon arrival in the Bronx.
“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,” said Steinbrenner 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.”
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
For decades, the rule stood as a symbolic pillar of Yankees history, first implemented under George Steinbrenner and manager Billy Martin as part of the team’s “Neatness Counts” standard. Mustaches were permitted, but beards, long hair, and sideburns were strictly forbidden.
Now, that era has come to an end.
A Policy That Defined Generations
Over the years, the Yankees’ grooming mandate became both a point of pride and frustration. Players who arrived with flowing locks or full beards knew the drill—before stepping onto the field, they had to visit a barber.
Johnny Damon, one of the most famous examples, had to part with his signature long hair and scruffy beard upon signing with the Yankees in 2006 after winning a World Series with the rival Boston Red Sox.
“Mr. Steinbrenner has a policy and I’m going to stick to it,” Damon said at the time.
But while some players accepted the tradition, others rejected it outright. In 2013, former All-Star closer Brian Wilson, known for his signature thick black beard, refused to sign with the Yankees when then-GM Brian Cashman informed him he would have to shave.
Now, a decade later, the Yankees have loosened their stance—and one player is already benefitting.
A New Look for the Bronx
Devin Williams, the Yankees’ new closer, became the first player to take advantage of the policy shift, appearing in his official team photo with a light beard—something that would have been unthinkable in previous years.
One of the most recognizable rules in all of sports is no longer 👀
The New York Yankees announced Friday morning that they will allow “well-groomed beards” moving forward.
Some notable names that were previously impacted by the policy – starting with Devin Williams 🧵 pic.twitter.com/fNnxew7Rok
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 21, 2025
Williams, known for his dominant changeup and success with the Milwaukee Brewers, had sported a fuller beard during his time in Milwaukee. Now, he’ll have the freedom to keep his facial hair while playing in the Bronx, a sight that will take time for fans to get used to.
Another player likely celebrating the change is Carlos Rodón, who, before joining the Yankees, was often seen with a full beard during his time with the Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants. His wife, Ashley Rodón, wasted no time reacting to the news on social media, posting a simple but telling six-word message.
Good Morning ☀️ pic.twitter.com/IBFYkHSk8v
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 21, 2025
A Rule That Became a Pop Culture Staple
The Yankees’ facial hair policy has been referenced, debated, and even parodied over the years. One of the most famous pop culture nods came in 1992 on The Simpsons episode “Homer at the Bat,” when Mr. Burns benched Yankees legend Don Mattingly for refusing to shave his (non-existent) sideburns. The gag was inspired by a real-life dispute Mattingly had with then-Yankees manager Stump Merrill in 1991, when he was threatened with a benching over his hair length.
While some traditionalists are lamenting the change, others—including players and their families—are welcoming it. The Yankees have long been defined by their traditions, but this move signals a willingness to modernize while still maintaining their championship-caliber identity.
For the first time in nearly five decades, the Bronx Bombers will be bearded. And while it may take some getting used to, in a city built on change, it feels fitting that even the Yankees are embracing a new era.
