The New York Yankees are one of the most iconic teams, not only in baseball but in all of professional sports. With 27 World Series titles to their name, they’ve attracted some of the biggest stars in the game. The iconic “NY” logo has become a symbol of style, worn by both fans and non-fans alike, while their home uniforms featuring navy blue pinstripes are regarded as the best in sports.
When did the Yankees enforce their facial hair policy?
The Yankees’ facial hair policy was introduced in 1973 by the team’s then-owner, George Steinbrenner.
Shortly after acquiring the team, Steinbrenner voiced his disapproval of players sporting long hair and facial hair. He made a list of players with long hair and beards, including Thurman Munson, Sparky Lyle, Bobby Murcer, Fritz Peterson, and Roy White, and instructed manager Ralph Houck to take action against them.
Soon after, Steinbrenner introduced a personal appearance policy influenced by his experience in the United States Air Force. The policy dictated that players could not have hair longer than their collar or facial hair, except for mustaches. Steinbrenner explained that the rule was meant to foster discipline within the team.
George Steinbrenner
George SteinbrennerI have nothing against long hair per se, but I’m trying to instill a certain sense of order and discipline in the ball club because I think discipline is important in an athlete,” Steinbrenner said in a 1978 interview with the New York Times, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. As a result, players who joined the Yankees were required to cut their hair short and shave any beards. Players like Johnny Damon and Gerrit Cole adhered to the policy, quickly trimming their hair and shaving their beards upon joining the team.
Even after Steinbrenner’s death in 2010, the rule remained in place at the request of his daughter, Jennifer. Despite criticism from former players who have called for the rule to be abolished, it appears unlikely that the policy will be repealed.
Leave a Reply