**Yankees’ New Beard Policy Sparks Irony for Closer Devin Williams**
The New York Yankees’ decision to end their 52-year ban on facial hair, now permitting “well-groomed beards,” has taken an awkward turn for new closer Devin Williams. The reliever, known for his signature beard during his tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers, arrived at Spring Training with his facial hair intact but reluctantly shaved it days ago to comply with the team’s former policy.
The timing couldn’t be more ironic. Just after Williams debuted a clean-shaven look in team photos, the Yankees announced their policy reversal on Friday, instantly turning the pitcher into a social media punchline. Fans flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with jokes, mocking the situation. One user quipped, “Devin Williams sacrificed his beard for nothing?” while another teased, “The Yankees saw his baby face and panicked!” Memes circulated widely, including a viral post imagining Williams’ frustration after years of growing his beard only to shave it prematurely.
Williams, now aware of the rule change, subtly acknowledged the news by liking the Yankees’ Instagram announcement. The team kicks off its Spring Training schedule Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, leaving fans wondering if Williams will regrow his beard or embrace his new look. Either way, his unwitting role in the policy’s demise has already cemented him as an offseason highlight.
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