The Yankees‘ long-standing facial hair policy finally got a long-overdue update this offseason, allowing players to wear well-groomed beards for the first time since 1976. But that policy shift came just a little too late for new closer Devin Williams, who was forced to shave off his signature beard upon arriving in New York.
“Everyone was kind of stunned,” Williams admitted, via ESPN. “There were a few guys who had heard it was being discussed and a possibility, but that it actually happened — I’m just looking forward to it growing back.”
A Generational Rule Finally Meets Modern Baseball
The Yankees’ facial hair rule, originally implemented by George Steinbrenner, was all about discipline and uniformity.