The New York Yankees Friday announced that their players should no longer be clean.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement that players could be Keep “well cared for” beards After discussing the issue with current and former players for “different” years.
The rule, who said that players could not have a face hair under the lower lip, was founded in 1976 by Hal’s father, George Steinbrenner.
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New York Yankees broadcasters Michael Kay and John Sterling for a match against the Tampa Bay Rays in Yankee Stadium on April 20, 2024 in New York, New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
Yankee -broadcaster Michael Kay, who organizes a radio program during the week, called the first spring training match of the season of the season and of the new her era of the Franchise Friday.
“I don’t think it’s hyperbole. (It) surprised the baseball world a bit,” he said.
One of the main reasons why the team lifted the rule was because it could discourage a player from choosing the Yanks as a future destination.
“If I ever found out that a player we wanted to acquire to make ourselves better, to get us a championship, would not be here, and if he had the opportunity, would not come here because of that policy. .. that would be very, very worrying, “Steinbrenner told reporters on Friday.
Hal Steinbrenner during a press conference in Yankee Stadium. (Jessica Alcheh/USA Today Sports)
Manager Aaron Boone told reporters that he had heard rumors about the policy change. It must be noted Vladimir Guerrero Jr.The next major free agent of MLB has had a beard most of his career.
That feeling, Kay said, was his greatest take -away meals.
“I think the most meaningful thing that (Steinbrenner) said is:” We never want to be in a position in which we lose a player that we think can help us win because he didn’t want to come here. ” And I think the Yankees did.
“And I have always wondered: ‘If you are going to change the rule, you almost have to change the rule before someone fights against it again. Because if you lose a player who said:’ I’m not going to do it there because I don’t want Shaving: “That would look really bad.”
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins in Yankee Stadium 5 September 2022. In New York City. (Jim Mcisaac/Getty images)
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Yankees Hall of Famers CC Sabathia and Derek Jeter have grown both beards since they retire. Players often grow face hair when leaving the Yankees or during the low season.
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