When Don Mattingly took over as Marlins’ manager in 2016, he instituted a no facial hair policy, similar to the one the Yankees’ have in place. Pitchers and catchers reported for all major league teams earlier this week. After just one year of the policy being in place, Mattingly announced that the facial hair ban has been lifted.
Mattingly has grown tired of fighting his players on this and realized it’s not a big deal and accepted the time he is living in. Beards are okay now. They’re a fashion statement to some and a way of expressing themselves to others.