The New York Yankees will look slightly different when the season opens in March. After over fifty years, the team is now allowed facial hair, as long as it is well-groomed.
The Decision
Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner announced that the organization had amended its long-standing facial grooming policy from 1973. Yankees players, coaches, and other uniformed personnel can now sport “well-groomed beards.” New team members no longer need to shave facial hair. Steinbrenner calls the old policy “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.”
The team seemed pleased with the decision.
Parameters
While facial hair is permitted, players must uphold a reputation. The look must be “clean and disciplined.” When the policy was first issued, standard images of players entailed ‘unkempt mustaches, mutton chops, and shaggy locks.’ They do not allow long beards.
The policy also emerged from a military background. As in the military, the manager wanted to instill order and discipline, and the facial hair demonstrated that.
Reasoning
One big reason for the change was that the team thought it might miss out on a potential player due to the former policy. Removing the facial hair regulation opens the door to free agents.
