New York Yankees Announce Major Change to Their Beard Regulations — and Fans Are Shocked

Mar. 15, 2025

New York Yankees players in October 2024.Photo:Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty

Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty

The New York Yankees have announced a major change to their facial hair regulations, with players and staff now allowed to sport “well-groomed beards.”

The MLB team shared the news in a statement from general managing partner Hal Steinbrenner that was posted onsocial mediaon Friday, Feb. 21.

In the statement, Steinbrenner, 55, said he had 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.”

“I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback,” he continued, adding that the 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,” the statement concluded.

A passage in the team’s player manual reads, per MLB.com, “All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches [except for religious reasons], and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. Long sideburns and mutton chops are not specifically banned.”

A final policy on the regulation alteration is still beingdrawn up, per NBC News.

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Devin Williams during the Brewers photo day in February 2022; pictured alongside a picture taken during the Yankees' photo day on Feb. 18, 2025.David Durochik/MLB Photos via Getty; Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty

David Durochik/MLB Photos via Getty; Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty

The most recent player who was required to shave their facial hair upon arrival to the Yankees was Devin Williams, who was acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in December 2024, according to MLB.com. His official roster photo, though, showed him still with scruff that would not pass the Yankees' previous regulations, leading fans to joke that Williams forced Steinbrenner to make the change.

Cole, 34, who signed a nine-year, $324 million contract to join the Yankees in the winter of 2019-2020, said at the time, per NBC News, “I haven’t shaved in like 10 years, but you know what? So be it. That’s the way it is. If you’re a Yankee, you shave. That’s what’s up.”

Hal Steinbrenner.Dustin Satloff/Getty

Dustin Satloff/Getty

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Others, however, including a former player, have suggested that the regulation hampers the team’s efforts to sign free agents.

“This might be an unpopular take to Yankees fans, but you’d be surprised how much more attractive the Yankees would be if they got rid of that facial hair rule,” baseball broadcaster and former center field Cameron Maybin, who played for the Yankees in 2019, said in apost on Xin December 2023.

“You wouldn’t believe how many quality players just think it’s a wack rule to have. I mean cmon we’re coming up on 2024 let that go already, and I swear it would be more appealing. Again this only comes from conversations I’ve had an experience playing.”

The policy change shocked and divided fans on social media, with one writing on X, “Bad decision. It’s a traditional standard that makes the Yankees different,” while a second added on Instagram, “Personally — I love the fact that the Yankees operate with class and professionalism in everything they do including facial appearances.”

Meanwhile, a third penned, “It finally happened,” as a fourth added, “Guys, the only tradition that should matter is WINNING. We play today, we win today. That’s it! All else is fluff.”

source: people.com