“It’s all about discipline,” Aaron Judge not too pleased with Yankees giving up decade-old facial hair policy
Aaron Judge understands Yankees' latest policy change but hopes rest of the rules on cleanliness will remain to uphold legacy.
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Aaron Judge (Image via Imago)
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge is not too happy with the team changing their decade-old facial hair rule despite the MLB world celebrating the change. Judge expressed that he understands and supports the new change but hopes it does not affect the other rules on neatness.
Yankees had the no-facial hair policy for over 50 years but with recent changes Hal Steinbrenner and the rest of the front office believe it’s time for a change. They said they never want to lose a player due to an old rule in free agency.
Many players are reluctant to part ways with their bearded look and it might be one of the reasons for them to sign with a rival team. Steinbrenner and Aaron Boone believe the new rule will give the players a certain amount of freedom.
Aaron Judge, who looks up to the NY Yankees legends said that he is happy to clean shave every day and uphold the organization’s traditions. He even expressed that if such a rule is holding a player back then they should sign somewhere else instead.
If that little rule is going to stop you from coming here, then you probably shouldn’t be here…So I haven’t heard too much about guys, it stopping them from coming here. But [Steinbrenner] dug in a little bit more than I did on that.
Aaron Judge as per Greg Joyce of NYPost.com.
Aaron Judge will not be growing a beard. He said he was shocked by the decision, but understands why Hal Steinbrenner changed the facial hair policy, making sure NYY could be its best. Judge made it clear to Hal he wanted other rules to remain because they help teach discipline.
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) February 22, 2025
For Judge winning the games and a championship title is much more important than holding onto the rule. Personally, he’ll clean shave and will respect the choice of each player on whatever they might be.
Aaron Judge wishes to uphold NY Yankees old traditions in place
The New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge spoke to the media on Saturday after news about the latest facial hair policy came to light. He feels “it’s all about discipline” and the clean shave represented the Yankees legend and the traditions in a deep way.
He said he spoke with Hal Steinbrenner prior to Friday’s press conference and pointed out how he wants to “keep a lot of these other things in check.” As of now, Judge, Anthony Volpe, and Marcus Stroman are in favor of clean shave as they’ve been doing.
Devin Williams and Carlos Rodon on the other hand are in the opposite camp. Gerrit Cole on the other hand reiterated Judge’s feeling saying he had no issues shaving off as a sign of respect to the team.
I gave him my input on what I felt a lot of the guys in the clubhouse might feel about it or what would help us. But at the end of the day, it came down to just both of us talking and being like, ‘What’s going to help us win?’…That ultimately was the big decision maker right there.
Aaron Judge as per Greg Joyce of NYPost.com.
Statement from Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner on the alteration of Yankees facial hair policy: pic.twitter.com/UdEuAg3gZy
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 21, 2025
Currently, the team is divided into two groups but unified with one – winning the championship game. All of the Yankees players including coaches noted that if removing the rule can bring in potential players then they have no problem with it.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2197 Articles Published)