Yankees changing decade-old facial hair policy to avoid looking ‘like Duck Dynasty’ in wake of 2025 season

Yankees are starting off new season with changes to over 50-year facial hair rule to avoid missing out on players in free agency.

Yankees changing decade-old facial hair policy to avoid looking ‘like Duck Dynasty’ in wake of 2025 season

Hal Steinbrenner [Image Credit: amNew York]

New York Yankees players will be looking quite different on the field in the wake of the 2025 season. On Friday, owner Hal Steinbrenner lifted the ban on having facial hair which dates back to the 1970s.

The news shocked the whole baseball world as the Yankees were known for their clean-shaven appearance for decades. Now with the ban lifted the players are allowed to have facial hair but following it must be “well-groomed beards” moving forward.

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While this may seem a relief situation to many, the decision to come to this has taken several years. As manager Aaron Boone said that Steinbrenner and the whole Yankees family had discussed and thought about it for years.

If I ever found out that a player we wanted to acquire to make us better, to get us a championship, did not want to be here—and if he had the ability, would not come here—because of that policy, as important as it is to [past generations], that would be very, very concerning. And I am fairly convinced that’s a real concern.

Hal Steinbrenner as per Tom Dierberger of SI.com.

Hal Steinbrenner even spoke with former and current Yankees, including people in the industry and pundits on removing the outdated policy. The main reason to do so was to avoid missing out on any potential players in free agency.

Boone doubled down saying even if they miss one player due to this policy “that’s too many” and too detrimental to the team’s future. At the end of the day the Yankees don’t want to continue looking “like Duck Dynasty” but trying to win a championship.

Yankees react to latest facial hair policy change

Several New York Yankees players were pleased to hear the change in the team. Especially, Devin Williams who said he’d like to keep his beard as long as he can after signing 1-year deal with the team.

Aaron Boone
Aaron Boone [Image Credit: Imago]

Apart from Williams, veteran players like Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Giancarlo Stanton gave the green signal to the new policy change. Cole said while the previous look embodied neatness and tradition, many might find it hard to part with their year-long beards.

It will also increase the chance of not having sideburns for many players who suffered from it earlier. For Cole shaving off his facial hair was never an issue as he deeply valued the Yankees culture. 

We never want to miss out on one player. If we miss out on one player because of that [policy], that’s too many.

Aaron Boone as per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

He wanted to be part of it and was proud to do so. However, that will not be the case for everyone and Boone fears this tradition may ultimately cost them crucial players in free agency. Now with a new look and a new roster (after Juan Soto’s departure) the Yankees are ready to start off the 2025 season.