Joe DiMaggio lucky to be a Yankee before beards.

I'm a Yankee fan. I've had a beard most of my adult life and currently. It's neatly trimmed.

Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 consecutive games without a beard.

A look back at the most memorable Yankees clean-shaven transformations February 21st, 2025 by David Adler

After nearly 50 years, the Yankees have amended their longstanding facial hair policy to allow "well-groomed beards."

The original policy, for Yankees players to be clean-shaven, was implemented by owner George Steinbrenner in the 1970s. The Boss' son, Hal Steinbrenner, announced the change on Friday...

Here are some of the most famous Yankees haircuts through the years.

Johnny Damon
Gerrit Cole
Jason Giambi
Randy Johnson
Reggie Jackson
... occasionally had a beard in Oakland before he came to the Yankees in 1977. Jackson's 'stache stayed in New York, but the beard went -- and that didn't stop him from becoming Mr. October.

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My concern is a general lack of discipline including appearance. I was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtfulness of Hal Steinbrenner's remarks.

I wish one of the articles had asked Reggie Jackson since he chose to join the Yankees the year after the policy started. He became Mr. October without a beard. Aaron Judge has hit 50 homers three times without a beard. Gerrit Cole won the Cy Young award without a beard.

Juan Soto left the Yankees after one year not for a beard but for money.

Goodbye, Soto. Goodbye, Soto. Goodbye, Soto, we "hate" to see you go (to the Mets). Monday, December 9, 2024

There are examples of Yankee players deviating in appearance. Wearing white shoes: Brett Gardner. Pants showing no socks to very high socks: Alex Rodriguez. Pulling their shirt out when the game ends: Rafael Soriano. It's called a uniform for a reason. They are supposed to look alike.

The next step will be hair. Even if it's kept short, it will be shaped into ever more bizarre configurations. Look at the Knicks.

Finally, some Yankees have been covered in tattoos. Look at the departed left fielder Alex Verdugo and the current Marcus Stroman who refuses to pitch out of the bullpen.

I wonder if players who have a beard will shave their beards in the future when they join the Yankees out of respect for the traditional look of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Judge? I would.

Kenneth Matinale