No More Close Shaves: The Yankees are WINNING

As many of my friends know, I am a New York Yankee fan. I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can. Now I’m not a diehard as I’ve personally found watching baseball to be. a little rough at times, but when the Yankees are up, I’m up.  Today the baseball world… NO, the universe shifted, Juan Soto soiled his pants at the news. The Yankees made a landmark decision to drop the ban on facial hair. The  Yankees have been synonymous with a strict, no-nonsense image for decades, dating back to the days of George Steinbrenner.  And one of the cornerstones of “The Yankee Way” being their long-standing ban on facial hair. This policy, which according to my google search dates back to the 1970s, so not as old as I thought, but the “ban” was more than a grooming guideline, it was a symbol of discipline and professionalism and with this shift, not only within the organization but also in the broader context of social norms surrounding facial hair we are moving forward.

The decision to lift the ban is notable not just because of the Yankees’ iconic stature but also due to the growing acceptance of facial hair in many professional spaces today. Historically, beards and mustaches were often linked to rebellion or nonconformity. I remember growing up, thinking of mustaches and beards for really only old men and homeless people? If that makes sense.  Not that it had a derogatory or bad vibe around them but I suppose they were not really popular I suppose is the word.  Granted this could be that I’m only thinking of the older men in my life and how many of them were and still do prefer to keep a clean-shaven, tidy look.

Men who wore facial hair were sometimes seen as less disciplined or unkempt, particularly in more traditional industries like corporate business, law enforcement, and, of course, according to the Yankees and Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello… professional sports. In contrast, the Yankees’ strict policy had been a clear effort to maintain a polished, “clean-cut” image, aligning with the broader societal expectations of the time. Now I won’t google this and purely just use my head but when I spoke about my childhood and the facial hair norms, I grew up in the 2000’s, who knows what it was like in the 70’s when this rule was enacted.  I mean probably my parents who would’ve been growing up in the 70’s but this is MY blog, not theirs.

But now in 2025, the cultural landscape has drastically changed. Facial hair is no longer associated with resistance or laziness; rather, it is increasingly seen as a form of personal expression. Facial hair is cool, I mean look at the Duck Dynasty guys, if I could grow facial hair to that standard and KEEP my job, it would be pretty tough to not at least try it out once. But beards, mustaches, and even more creative facial hair styles such as a goatee are now common in nearly every industry, from tech to finance to fashion. In fact, some of the most influential figures today, whether in entertainment, business, or sports, are proudly sporting facial hair. Although I believe no US President has had facial hair. These shifts reflect broader changes in societal attitudes toward masculinity, grooming not being a thing associated with metrosexual/homosexual culture, and overall shifts in the perception of  professionalism.(I’m keeping that one sentence in here, I totally blanked and like forgot about perhaps one of the most famous beards of all time in Abraham Lincoln, and Roosevelt’s glorious Bull Moose of a mustache)

In the past decade, the notion of “the beard” has evolved from a fringe style choice to a mainstream cultural phenomenon. Many high-profile figures, from musicians to actors, have embraced facial hair, contributing to the normalization of various beard styles. Even in industries once known for their rigid grooming standards, like the corporate world, beards are becoming increasingly acceptable. Just as long as it’s clean and not all over the place(wow another KSI reference). This shift reflects a larger trend toward individualism and self-expression, particularly among younger generations who prioritize authenticity over conformity.  This shift is evident in many facets of life and not just in facial hair, without getting too political here, a lot in society is seen to be shifting “to the left” and more freedom/liberty in terms of expression are being seen as the societal norm.

Now enough about my mustache rant, the Yankees’ move to drop the facial hair ban is emblematic of this larger societal shift. Now this isn’t as modernizing as when former NY Giants Legend GM Dave Gettleman (why did you draft Saquon at 2) brought in Nintendo Wii’s to scout and watch tape (yes this is serious), but this is a shift towards modernity at least.  The organization, known for its conservative Steinbrenner values, is now acknowledging the changing cultural tides, where individuality is increasingly celebrated. In doing so, the team is embracing a modern perspective on professionalism, one that recognizes that personal style and self-expression do not undermine competence or dedication. Perhaps this is to open up the scope of players that the Yankees will target, and as a result perhaps end up signing.  But then again, like I love my mustache but if the NEW YORK FREAKING YANKEES called me and said to shave it, I’m pulling those hairs out with my bare hands. Instead, this is a particularly relevant shift in the context of today’s workforce, where diversity in appearance and identity is also becoming more accepted.

The decision also speaks to the changing nature of sports culture. Traditionally, athletes were expected to fit into a specific mold, often one that reflected discipline and team unity over personal distinction. However, sports have become a platform for athletes to express themselves, whether through their boots in soccer, you see all the cool cleats in the NFL worn by stars, the pregame fashion as they arrive at the game or team airplanes, obviously tattoos, or, in this case I think facial hair. The Yankees’ historic policy was a reflection of a broader trend in sports during the late 20th century, when athletes were expected to uphold a certain image, an image of unity and everyone fitting in, but now, the athletes themselves are shaping their public personas, and in essence they are their own brand and organizations like the Yankees are recognizing that this is not only acceptable but can be beneficial for the team’s brand as well.

Beyond the Yankees, this change also points to the growing acceptance of facial hair in a broader context. In 2025, the social stigma that once surrounded beards is largely gone. People with facial hair are now seen as just as professional, competent, and capable as those who prefer to remain clean-shaven. This is a sharp contrast to the world of the 1970s and 1980s, when a man’s grooming choices were often scrutinized as a reflection of his character or even his work ethic.

Ultimately, the Yankees dropping their facial hair ban is more than just a policy change—it’s a reflection of a larger cultural transformation. As society becomes more inclusive and embraces a wider range of identities and personal expressions, even institutions with deep traditions are beginning to adapt. The decision is also a signal that the world is moving away from rigid standards of appearance and moving toward a more diverse and individualized understanding of what it means to be professional.

As I will somewhat check in on the season, this year is the Yankees year.  The Bearded Bombers are here and they are ready to make a statement.  As we start to win the next several World Series’, it will become clear to the average fan that the Yankees’ facial hair ban Was clearly holding them back.