The New York Yankees have changed their stance in regard to their long-standing facial hair policy and this became huge news this week because of the differing opinions.
The baseball world is rarely affected by non-baseball news the way this story took on a life of its own and it played on fans emotions. The Yankees have had their no facial hair, and no long hair policy in place since the early 70's. New owner George Steinbrenner instituted the rule as a way to bring a businesslike approach and respect to the field. The Yankees were going to be the pro's pro team and that would be reflected in their appearance.
Thurman Munson often pushed the issue growing a 5 o'clock shadow often and bringing his mustache close to breaking the rules. Lou Pinella once told Steinbrenner that Jesus had long hair, and a beard why couldn't the Yankees? The Boss's response was that when Lou can walk across water, he can grow his beard. That was the sort of barbs that would come from the policy. Then in the 90's the hair rule was once again at the forefront when Don Mattingly famously pushed the issue. Steinbrenner thought the captain was growing his hair a little too long, despite most people not seeing much of a difference, and even the Simpson's poked fun at the situation.
Since then there have been a few times it's been mentioned but there hadn't been any sort of raucous recently. That is why it was such a shock when Hal, seemingly out of nowhere, announced he is lifting the no facial hair ban.
Devin Williams had shaved his beard for the first time in years just days before and Jeff Passan reported that he was a big part in the Yankees changing their policy. Williams met with Hal along with Stanton, Judge and Cole to discuss the situation. Hal's reasoning for lifting the ban was he believed it might stop free agents from coming to the team.
Fans and past players were immediately divided on the ruling. I was on the side that seemed to be the minority. The Yankees should have kept the policy in place.
There is something unique about the New York Yankees ... or there was. From the stadium that literally Babe Ruth played in, to the crisp pinstripes, to the no names on the back of the jerseys, to things like the facial hair policy, it meant more to be a Yankee. Little by little those things of 'aura and mystique' are being ripped away. It was always a sense of pride that if you wanted to become a Yankee, you knew the rules and being a Yankee meant more than your hair length or beard. I understand the push back that it is an antiquated rule and that it doesn't help win, but it's a culture that was put in place and one that the country needs to get back to. The business like, do your job, and the team means more than the individual mindset is fading away, and this is one more thread that has been pulled to remove that workman like effort from society.
Nick Swisher, a former player, disagrees with me. Swisher said, "we knew as an organization we would have to evolve into something different." He went on to add "with the youth movement in the game, it's a different time."
To that extent I do agree, this is a different time, and the youth movement is here. But they in large parts are also ruining the game, so we have to be cautious of that direction.
The most famous case of a different look was when Johnny Damon came over from the Red Sox to the Yankees. The Red Sox called themselves dirtbags lovingly as they were an unkempt group and Damon was the leader. He had long hair past his shoulders and a long beard, so much so his nickname became the caveman. But when Damon put on the pinstripes he respected George's rule and was clean shaven. Damon chimed in this week and summed up the debate quite well. He said, "I think we need to keep it how it was with respect to Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter, Mariano." he continued "The Yankees are a tradition so let's keep it. I cut these long locks off a long time ago because George Steinbrenner was such a great human being, a great boss, that I wasn't even going to question it."
Therein lies the problem with the policy being lifted. People were questioning it, or better yet were questioning the people in charge. That's when traditions die.