N.Y. Yankees Allows Players To Have ‘Well-Groomed Beards’ Ending Nearly 50 Year Ban

Hal Steinbrenner, the owner of the New York Yankees, announced on social media that players will now be allowed to have beards. In 1976, Hal’s father, George Steinbrenner, implemented a policy that mandated that players could have mustaches but no other facial hair.

Several former Yankees players, as well as active players, have spoken out against this policy. While no player has ever refused to shave and challenged the policy, several have played with 5 o’clock shadows. 

On Feb. 21, Steinbrenner posted a screenshot of a statement on X in which he said players are allowed to have beards.

“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,” he wrote on the platform. “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 amend our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward,” the New York Yankees’ owner declared. “It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”

Steinbrenner has made some other big changes in recent months. In July 2023, he announced that his team had welcomed “Starr Insurance as the Yankees’ first-ever Signature Partner,” allowing them to place patches on the iconic Yankee uniforms. 

During the Major League Baseball owners’ meetings in May 2024, the Yankees’ owner stated that new technology in the clubhouse could have contributed to his team’s success that season.