The New York Yankees have dropped their ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner
George Steinbrenner instituted the policy in 1976, three years after he bought the team, when the fashion of the era saw long hair and unkempt beards became commonplace. Steinbrenner, a former member of the U.S. Air Force, did not agree with the style of the times.
The New York Yankees face the St. Louis Cardinals in a spring training game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 (2/26/25) at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida.
As recently as Monday, the New York Yankees left reminders on the clubhouse chair of each player to arrive clean-shaven the next morning for photo day.