Former Yankees outfielder Cameron Maybin believes the membership’s rule in opposition to facial hair hurts the crew in the case of signing free brokers.
“This could be an unpopular take to Yankees followers, however you’d be stunned how way more enticing the Yankees can be in the event that they removed that facial hair rule,” Maybin, an ex-YES Community announcer, wrote in a publish on X Thursday.
“You wouldn’t imagine what number of high quality gamers simply suppose it’s a wack rule to have. I imply cmon we’re arising on 2024 let that go already, and I swear it will be extra interesting. Once more this solely comes from conversations I’ve had and expertise from really Enjoying.”
Then-Yankees proprietor George Steinbrenner applied the facial hair coverage in 1976.
“I’ve nothing in opposition to lengthy hair per se,” Steinbrenner mentioned on the time. “However I’m attempting to instill sure sense of order and self-discipline within the ball membership as a result of I feel self-discipline is essential in an athlete.”
“They will joke about it so long as they do it. In the event that they don’t do it, we’ll attempt to discover a solution to accommodate them elsewhere. I need to develop pleasure within the gamers as Yankees. If we are able to get them to really feel that manner and suppose that manner, effective. If they’ll’t, we’ll do away with them.”
The coverage price the Yankees three-time All-Star reliever Brian Wilson, when the Big and Dodger nearer wouldn’t shave his iconic beard to come back to the Bronx following the 2013 season.
Across the identical time, then-Rays star pitcher David Value mentioned he would by no means signal with the Yankees due to the coverage although the next 12 months he backtracked and mentioned he would shave if the Yankees have been to accumulate him.
Andrew McCutchen, the 2013 NL MVP as a member of the Pirates, joined the Yankees late in 2018 and was made to shave his beard.
“I undoubtedly do suppose it takes away from our individualism as gamers and as folks,” McCutchen mentioned in 2020. “We specific ourselves in numerous methods.”
He added, “I really feel like perhaps there must be some change there sooner or later — who is aware of when — however it’s simply one of many many issues on this recreation that I really feel that there simply wants … it must be talked about, and to be addressed.”
Yankees icon Don Mattingly was famously benched in 1991 for refusing to get a haircut however will need to have come round to the coverage as a result of he instituted the same one when managing the Marlins in 2016.
Maybin performed with the Yankees in 2019, one in all ten groups he performed for in his 15-year profession. He additionally known as video games for YES in 2022.