The infamous prohibition of the New York Yankees in the facial hair had its roots in the first game at the 1973 team.
According to the story, the team is starring Thurman Munson, Bobby Murcer and Sparky Lyle called the new owner George Steinbrenner when they removed their caps for the national anthem. The problem, like now all those who have played for the Yankees, was that their hair was too long for Steinbrenner's taste.
And with that, the most famous owner in the history of baseball instituted his long prohibition of long hair, facial hair and almost anything that he considered unpleasant. In the following years, Steinbrenner would fight with Slugger Don Mattingly about his salmonte and required Jason Giambi to cover his extensive collection of tattoos.
Even Steinbrenner's death in 2010 did not affect the facial hair ban, which continued until Friday, when he was officially discontinued by his son and heir, Hal.
And why exactly, Hal decided to allow players to grow 'well -fixed beards'?
“If he ever discovered that a player we wanted to acquire, to improve ourselves, get a championship, he did not want to be here, and if he had the ability to not come here due to that policy, as if important for that generation, that would be very , very worrying, 'Steinbrenner told journalists at Spring Training in Florida on Friday while sitting with General Manager Brian Cashman. “I am quite convinced that it is a real concern.”
The rival star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will become a free agent next season, beard and everything
George Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973 forbidden facial hair shortly after when he saw a look at the hairy receiver Thurman Munnson (in the photo just in 1973)
San Diego's parents' pitcher, Dylan Cenea, and his beard will be free agents in 2026
The moment of the decision is particularly fascinating: a year before several bearded stars become free agents.
Yes, there are some current Yankees players who wear facial hair out of season, and the team recently acquired the desirable relistary star devin Williams.
But they are players like Bearded Toronto Blue Jays, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose contract expires at the end of the season, which seems to be the real objectives of this policy.
“This generation, the vast majority of the 20s, 30 in the 40s, men in this country have beards,” said Hal Steinbrenner. 'It is part of who these younger men are, it is part of their character, it is part of their personality.
'Can I totally interact with that? It's hard for me, I am an older boy who has ever had a beard in his life.
And it is not only Guerrero who will reach the market of free agents, facial hair and everything.
The first base of the Rays of Tampa Bay, Yandy Díaz, has a beard and an impressive race percentage based on .372, which makes it another potential option for the Yankees in the future
Barbudic pitchers such as Dylan cessation of San Diego's parents and All-Star (in the photo) of Arizona, Zac Gallen, could also be free agents after the 2025 mlb season
The first base of the Rays of Tampa Bay, Yandy Díaz, has a beard and an impressive race percentage based on .372, which makes it another potential option for Yankees in free agency or as a commercial acquisition of half seasonal
Barbudic pitchers such as Dylan cessation of San Diego's parents and the All-Star Gallen de los Diamondbacks in Arizona, Zac Gallen, could also be free agents.
While politics is a game for clean shaving yankees, Hal does not think his father's memory dishonor. Rather, he sees this as a commitment to excellence, which is what George valued above all, even if the players were ever happy to shave their accounts to use stripes.
'Winning was the most important thing for my father and, again, I think that if someone came and told him that they were very sure that this could affect the players we want to get, everything we are trying to do every season. ourselves in the best position to get a player we are trying to get, 'said Hal.
“If something like this would subtract from that, it decreases our possibilities, I don't know, I think it could be a bit more suitable for making the change I made people think because it was about winning.”