New York Yankees have made the surprising decision to allow their players to grow a beard, after 49 years of banning all facial hair.
The Hal Steinbrenner owner issued a shock statement on Friday morning, in which he confirmed that, after speaking with a “large number of previous and current Yankees,” the team is altering its policy.
From now on, Yankees players will be allowed 'well -fixed beards'.
The full statement says: 'In recent weeks I have spoken with a large number of previous and current current yanquis, which cover several times, to obtain their perspectives on our long facial policy of facial hair and cleanliness, and appreciate their sincere comments and varied
'These most recent conversations are an extension of the internal dialogue in progress that goes back several years. Ultimately, the final decision is based on me, and after a great consideration, we will amend our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well -arranged beards in the future.
“It is the appropriate time to go beyond the family comfort of our previous policy.”
Aaron Judge and his Yankees teammates can now use 'well -fixed beards'
The former Yankee Gleyber Torres this week showed his new beard immediately after leaving NY
Hal Steinbrenner (R) made the decision to alter the long -standing policy of the team on facial hair
Fans quickly resorted to social networks to react to the shock statement, which occurs only a few days after former Yankee Gleyber Torres showed his new and shrub barba weeks after exchanging the Bronx for Detroit.
One wrote: “Thank you for finishing the stupid rule in the history of sport”, while another added: “Congratulations on spending the 1930s and the decade of 2000.”
Others, meanwhile, did not agree with the decision and said: 'give an inch and finally take a mile. I understand modernity, but getting away from tradition will finally go to garbage.
Another said: 'Is not anything sacred?' While a Yankees fan added: 'No. I don't like this at all.
The decision occurs shortly after the arrival of Devin Williams to the Club House, the former brewer pitcher who uses a beard.
In the photos published earlier this week, the 30 -year -old could be seen with a shorter stubble, which will now be allowed to grow again to its previous length.
The Yankees first brought the “no facial hair” policy in 1976 and has become one of the most famous peculiarities of the franchise.
During the last 49 years, strict policy, which establishes that the hair of the
The policy was the creation of the then owner George Steinbrenner, who believed that politics would infuse discipline to his players.
In 1991, Don Mattingly was famous outside the Yankees alignment for a day after refusing to cut his hair.
In recent years, politics had been described as outdated by many of its critics, and players who have left the franchise have been criticized repeatedly.
Among the most vocal critics were Andrew McCutchen and Clint Frazier, while other players from all over the league have even claimed that they would not join the Yankees simply for the ruling.