(Reuters) – The New York Yankees have altered their long-standing and strict facial hair policy, clearing the way for players to have well-groomed beards, the Major League Baseball team said on Friday.
The decision by Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner changes a policy his father George, who died in 2010, implemented nearly 50 years ago that gave players the choice of being clean-shaven or wearing a moustache.
“Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward,” Steinbrenner said in a statement.
“It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”
Steinbrenner said in recent weeks he spoke to former and current Yankees for their feedback on the policy, which he added had been the subject of ongoing internal dialogue dating back several years.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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