The New York Yankees have changed their long-standing facial hair rule, now allowing players to have well-groomed beards.
This marks the first major update to the policy in nearly 50 years. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner made the decision after consulting with former and current players.
The original rule was created by Steinbrenner’s father, George, who led the team for decades before his passing in 2010. Under that policy, players had to be clean-shaven or could wear only a moustache. In a statement, Hal Steinbrenner said, “It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”
The change follows years of internal discussions within the organisation. Now, Yankees players will be able to grow beards, as long as they remain neatly groomed. This move brings the team in line with many other Major League Baseball clubs that do not have strict facial hair rules.