All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen joined New York in 2018, dutifully shaving off his beard, but he ripped the policy in 2020 after leaving the club. Mattingly ought to know that. Seriously. [29] Bill Baer of NBC Sports also critiqued the Yankees' policy for its difficulties in marketing players, citing Justin Turner and Charlie Blackmon as two players known for their beards. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). I got involved., Steinbrenner was just as proactive when it came to personal grooming. As the legend goes, its roots grew in 1973, when principal owner George M. Steinbrenner observed his team on the first-base line for Opening Day against the Cleveland Indians. Furthermore, the rights of uniformed governmental officers, such as the police or those in the military, differ significantly from other public employees (or, for that matter,the average citizen)., Nonetheless, private organizations or companies, like the New York Yankees, can set limits on grooming, dress attire and even facial hair. The Yankees have won more World Series than any other club, but when Steinbrenner bought them in 1973, it had been nearly a decade since theyd made the playoffs. Notable examples include Randy Johnson, Johnny Damon, Nick Swisher, Jason Giambi, Kevin Youkilis, and Gerrit Cole. He wrote down their numbers and told each one to cut his hair. As the story goes, Steinbrenner didn't care for Thurman. Powell replied . Past practices and precedent matter and so, perhaps, an arbitrator would accept that a baseball organization has the right to control the hair length of an adult under its employ. Mattingly was benched by the Yankees in August of 1991 over his refusal to get a haircut; his brown hair, according to the AP, drops over the collar and is cropped closely at the sides. [38] The terms of Steinbrenner's appearance policy, meanwhile, were inspired by that of the Cincinnati Reds, who forbid their players from growing their hair past their collar or sporting any form of facial hair besides short sideburns. Some guys like it, some guys wont, new manager Don Mattingly told reporters. Given that times do change and are changing, it won't be surprising if this policy is amended or done away with entirely. To what end? New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit. If youre a Yankee, you shave. If a star player like Judge truly wanted to take the policy down or had teammates join him the Yankees know theres not much they could do to stop them. Even my daughter, she doesn't want to look at me" pic.twitter.com/V6SvOcsNuC. [43] Although Girardi's tenure with the Marlins lasted for only one season,[44] Mattingly attempted to resurrect his facial hair policies ten years later when he was appointed the Marlins' manager,[45] a decision which was criticized considering his own history with the Yankee's policy. And although the law was more about striking down racist hiring tendencies, an argument could be made that the Yankees are in violation of this law. But really, its 2021. [27] In 2013, general manager Brian Cashman attempted to acquire relief pitcher Brian Wilson in free agency, but negotiations halted when Wilson refused to shave his signature beard. By 1975, the end of his five-year contract, Oregon State had fallen to 1-10. This changed in 1972, when members of the Oakland Athletics, led by Reggie Jackson, formed The Mustache Gang. N. Frazier tweeted a photoshopped image of him in a Cubs uniform Tuesday, expressing his excitement to join the organization, while also poking fun at the Yankees' hair policy. "[19] One of the strongest moments of dissent came during the 1991 New York Yankees season, when Don Mattingly was fined and removed from the starting lineup for refusing to cut his hair. However, I wanted to look at this issue from a constitutional standpoint. This isnt the military. The Yankees return home from their road trip in last place. 12:39 pm ET. And why are the Yankees even still enforcing such inanity which allows mustaches, but no beards or hair lengths below the collar? As a result, Steinbrenner introduced an appearance policy for the Yankees. PFB is a genetic disorder, almost exclusively affecting black men. As the story goes, Steinbrenner didn't care for Thurman Munson's appearance during one singing of the national anthem, and he put in place the following mandates: All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches (except for religious reasons), and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. McCutchen calls playing for the Yankees "an honor," but he also believes it's time for the policy to end. When Vern Rapp took over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977, he insisted that players like Al Hrabosky shave their facial hair. That was volunteered to me during our conversations, that the beard stays on.. Astros RHP Garcia exits Monday's start with an injury, Braves star Acua Jr. leaves game after HBP in shoulder, Phillies star Harper to make return this week, Yankees place Aaron Judge on IL with hip issue, MLB parlay picks, bets, predictions for May 1, Strider's impressive strikeout streak ends vs. Mets. He was fined and punished for disobeying their orders. , Oregon State University head coach Dee Andros considered sideburns and beards and sandals without socks to be dirty, smelly, unappetizing. Andros, known as The Great Pumpkin for the combination of his roly-poly 250-pound frame and Oregon States orange colors, said of facial hair, It aint neat. exercise free will with their own personal appearance. Believe it or not, the Yankees have actually passed up on players who would not shave. When the San Francisco Giants traded former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen to the Bombers during the 2018 season, he agreed to cut his hair and shave his beard. For more information, please see our It is an outdated policy. McCutchen questioned the New York Yankees ' policy Sunday, saying it "takes away from . Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Mike Burke is a guy who I admired tremendously, Steinbrenner said. Take relief pitcher Brian Wilson in 2013, for example. McCutchen, who had worn long dreadlocks as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, said that if he had been traded to the Yankees during that time, it would have been difficult to part with his hair, "Because that's who I was That's (what) made me Andrew McCutchen. Should the Yankees now adopt to modern times? Maybe I dont belong in the organization anymore, Mattingly said after his benching. All pricing's in $CAD. Were starting it in our minor league system. Facial hair. No beads. The story behind the Yankees facial hair policy, Cortes comments on the worst outing of his Yankees career; Judge and Bauers injury updates; deGrom upset about IL stint after start against Yankees, Yankees April Approval Poll: Brian Cashman. So without free agency or trades to focus on, I have decided to tackle a really big issue. The fight garnered national attention and support from black students and athletes at other campuses. Wrestling for California State College at Hayward, Hodges won the Far West Conference title without a loss or conceding a point. The Yankees are the lone big-league team to have a policy that bans beards. He seems to be one of the first "star" players to call out the Yankees antiquated facial hair policy. It was there where he had to be clean shaven and hair trimmed. But perhaps the most memorable occurrence was Johnny Damon, the heart and soul of the scruffy Boston Red Sox team that came back to beat their hated rivals the Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series, who joined New York soon after. "[32] (McCutchen would cut his dreadlocks off on his own accord in 2015 for charity while still with the Pirates. [22], As the appearance policy only applies during the MLB season, members of the Yankees often grow facial hair during the offseason. The Yankees are known for not allowing players to grow facial hair. Maybe they want an organization that is full of guys who are puppets, Mattingly said, Maybe I dont fit into the organization anymore. How about the august stadium? Well, he wanted the team to be looked at as more professional and stand out almost as if they were the military. Former National League MVP and five-time All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen recently stated that the Yankees hair rules take away from our individualism. McCutchen was traded from Pittsburgh to San Francisco and then again to New York within the span of 2018. Could the Yankees successfully defend keeping their policy? Notably the absence of it on Yankees players. Today we could have had Bryce Harper, but he wouldnt shave, so we refused to take him. Shortly after taking over the Yankees, he decided hed end a tradition of having fresh-cut flowers on employees desks. The policy is the same for every player, short hair and clean face. Does Hal Steinbrenner want to be the guy who gives the order if, say, Aaron Judge or any Yankee decides to carry his offseason beard into spring training? Plus, if he felt that strongly about the policy, why did he agree to play for the Yanks? Im not someone who automatically hates the Yankees, but their slavish adherence to a nearly-50-year-old policy one instituted by a man dead for more than a decade speaks to the arrogance of a club thats hard to love. Who Did It: Cam Newton Or Some White Quarterback? Thus, over the past 47 years, players have had no choice to express themselves as it pertains to their facial hair or hairstyle. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. [28] Pitcher David Price, meanwhile, told reporters that he would not want to sign with the Yankees due to their appearance policy. [25], Sportswriters have criticized the Yankees' appearance policy in recent years as an outdated product of Steinbrenner's time,[26] as well as the limitations that it places on what players the Yankees are willing to take in trades and free agency. After the aforementioned trade to the Giants, McCutchen kept his same facial hair. Milton was one of 47 black students at Oregon State, 18 of whom were athletes and six of whom were on the football team. The late 1960s were a ripe time for these kinds of policies, as activist movements gained steam on college campuses. Lets not forget about the Stache Squad in 2015. I woke up this morning, got a shave and came here. What standard is being upheld? The policy came from then-franchise owner George Steinbrenner, who believed that regulating his players' appearance would instill a sense of discipline. Steinbrenners military background is often cited as the reason why he didnt want long hair or beards, and certainly for generations of baseball fans the Yankees who dont put their players names on the back of their jersey, suggesting that the team is greater than the individual have resembled a tight ship, at least in how they present themselves to the public. Aaron Judge easily hits .300 and gets back to the 50 home run plateau with a beard. Cookie Notice Andrew McCutchen thinks the Yankeesshould cut. A casual stroll through the offices of Apple, Google, and other successful companies would reveal that what looked corporate or professional in 1973 does not look corporate and professional now. No long stirrups. As most Yankee fans know, Don Mattingly openly defied the requests by the teams management for him to cut his hair. (In fact, he ended his career in 1986 rather than agreeing to shave it off to be a member of the Cincinnati Reds, which didnt allow facial hair.) With the Yankees again the sports dominant club, high-profile free agents came clamoring, resulting in a series of lucrative contracts and the repeated weirdness of, say, seeing Randy Johnson shaving to comply with the teams policy. The First Amendment, guarantees freedom of expression to individuals in the United States. Owner Jeffrey Loria wants to be a puppetmaster, just as George Steinbrenner and Marge Schott and Dee Andros before him, and control the images and identities of his young workers. Somebody said, Isnt that wonderful? For someone who doesnt have a bit, not a damn bit of business to do with some part of my body to tell me to do something with itjust couldnt see doing it, Hodges told Dr. Jack Scott for the 1970 book The Athletic Revolution. Those rules, thats old-school baseball. The Yankees hair policy states that, "All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. In 2013, the eccentric San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson told the Yankees that he wouldnt shave his magnificent beard, ending any possible talks of him signing with the team. It takes up a lot of time apparently not to negotiate. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the baseball responds, especially current and former Yankees. And in this age, doesnt it now feel like the crisis you can see heading toward town, so if you can avoid it, why not? "[12] Steinbrenner argued in 1978 that the policy was not specifically about a distaste for long hair and more about "trying to instill a certain sense of order and discipline" that he believed was important for athletes to maintain. Instead, they were used as an attempt to emasculate rebellious black athletes, many of whom were beginning to get involved in black campus movements. The official policy by the New York Yankees states: "All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches and scalp hair may not be grown. Long sideburns and 'mutton chops' are not specifically banned." This was instilled by then owner George Steinbrenner III in 1973. It's something they've done since the late George Steinbrenner instituted the policy in 1973, and the rule. NYY Recaps is the most-viewed Yankees podcast on YouTube according to SocialBlade.com. It aint athletic.. The paper argued that the only hair policy for a nurse should be that hair is "clean, away from the face, up off the collar and not in the way of any procedure being undertaken". Since 1976, the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB) have maintained a strict appearance policy, specifying that players' hair must not touch their collars and that they may have mustaches but no other facial hair. The world has changed, and the Yanks are ironically hurting their image rather than protecting their image by continuing to obstinately insist that the rule should continue to remain in place. leading to a policy that continues to this day, whopping 11 days without shaving his beard, Steinbrenner was (temporarily) banned from baseball, said goodbye to his lovable caveman appearance, banned employment discrimination on the basis of hair, Tickle Me Kaczynski: How the Inventor of the Ultimate Elmo Toy Became a Unabomber Suspect, Real Italians Put Hot Dogs and French Fries on Their Pizza, The Other Drug War: Inside the World of Counterfeit Viagra, The $65 Million Art Heist That Put Oceans Eleven to Shame. Tune in tomorrow for Chapter 13 of As the World Turns., Dirt Dogs: Charlie Hustle and Thurman Munson#Yankees #TheBronxZoo pic.twitter.com/3bW680IBUd, But future sagas with other players were inevitable. The Yankees hair policy states that, All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar. I said, What the hell is this? [14][15] One of the most drastic changes caused by this policy was to Oscar Gamble, who was known for his distinctive Afro hairstyle, and even had an endorsement deal with Afro Sheen that would be lost if he were to cut his hair. Next. Furthermore, no team in the NBA, NHL, or NFL has such a rule. As a well respected and veteran ballplayer and someone who drew accolades for his clubhouse presence while with the team, his opinion would have carried weight. Johnny Damon, the dude had the sickest flow and beard with the Red Sox. Germn was dominant for 8.1 innings, but things got very dumb after that. Recapping the Yankees minor league affiliates results from April 30th. It has been held that, employers may set standards for their employees personal appearance, including their hair length and style, if the regulations are related to legitimate business or governmental objectives. Agent tells Brian Cashman that Wilson won't shave his beard. He looked noticeably different when he reported to the Yankees: how it started how its going pic.twitter.com/uVL2OhbI5A, Its taken as a given that if the Yankees pick you up, whether through a trade, the draft or in free agency, youre trimming your facial hair. Yankees players use the mustache exception to their restrictive facial-hair policy to break out of slumps, slugger Luke Voit reveals. Without a doubt, George Steinbrenner has a policy and Im going to stick to it, Damon said. , 18 of whom were athletes and six of whom were on the football team. The rule was quickly adopted as a club policy. Still, Schott was adamant that her club would be presenting a clean-cut image and demanded Vaughn keep it neatly trimmed.. [17] Six years later, when Goose Gossage was reminded that mustaches were the only facial hair allowed, he shaved only the chin of his beard, thus creating the exaggerated mustache that became synonymous with the pitcher. David Price. If they dont do it, well try to find a way to accommodate them somewhere else. Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen isn't a huge fan of team hair policies. But in American sports, efforts to control grooming habits have a racist history, used by white sporting bodies and coaching staffs to restrict opportunities and control the identities of black athletes. Razor burn", "Gerrit Cole joins these stars who have cut their hair and shaved to become Yankees", "Steinbrenner, Piniella and the great Jesus debate", "Mattingly Chooses Seat on Yank Bench Over Barber's Hair", "Yankees Agree to Not Split Hairs in Lengthy Tiff With Mattingly", "The Making Of 'Homer At The Bat,' The Episode That Conquered Prime Time 20 Years Ago Tonight", "It's Hilarious How Quickly Yankees Players Grow Beards When They're Allowed", "Some Yankees growing mustaches amid hot streak", "Yankees players use the mustache exception to their restrictive facial-hair policy to break out of slumps, slugger Luke Voit reveals", "The Yankees should ditch their dumb grooming policy", "A now-bearded Aaron Judge really should challenge the Yankees' facial hair policy", "No beard in the Bronx: Wilson won't shave for Yanks", "Price's Yankees hair comment bristles some", "McCutchen: Yankees' grooming policy 'takes away our individualism', "About Clint Frazier's Lush Locks: Will the Yankees Let Their Hair Down? [8], George Steinbrenner became the owner of the New York Yankees MLB franchise the year after the Mustache Gang debuted. Odds and lines subject to change. But one thing we can absolutely count on is seeing Yankee players clean-shaven and also complaints about why this is still a thing. On this point, Cheryl Rings article reinforced, the New York state hair law A07797A, which banned an employer from prohibiting, among other things, dreadlocks, braids and twists. A07797A specifically, [p]rohibits race discrimination based on natural hair or hairstyles. This would seemingly repudiate the Yankees scalp hair may not be grown below the collar policy. For now, though, it remains a curiosity in baseball. Employers, school officials, and prison administrators have given a number of reasons for regulations determining hair length and hair styles; among them are identification, safety, hygiene, and appropriateness., However, Major League Baseball franchises, such as the New York Yankees would not fall under a governmental objective or legitimate business. New York Yankees But is this a case the Yankees want to risk? The Yankees want it neat and trim., . The Yankees are the lone big-league team to have a policy that bans beards. But when Hodges took to the mat for his first match of the NCAA Championship tournament, the referee stopped him. I'm a believer in 'look good, feel good.' A few years ago, I started dressing better for work and just felt so much more confident when talking to coworkers. And I feel like I owe it, to someone, yeah, But Im not, Im not giving in an inch to fear. More and more, baseball is encouraging individuals to express themselves through items like footwear. They wouldnt improve their roster over this policy? All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. 17, Gene Michael; and No. The Yankees aren't saying you can't have certain long hair styles (like dreads) but you can have others. Maybe Im wrong, but well see. Thats not for me. Simply put, the logic and reasoning behind implementing the appearance policy by Sir Steinbrenner are no longer valid today. I am shocked they have not been challenged on this yet. If we can get them to feel that way and think that way, fine. Andrew McCutchen, who played for the New York Yankees in 2018, believes the Yankees should change their famous hair policy. It is growing a beard. George Steinbrenner has a policy and Im going to stick to it, he noted. In the mid-1990s, the Yankees began to resemble the championship clubs of yesteryear, appearing in the playoffs on an annual basis, winning four World Series in the span of five seasons. Outside of that, the entire policy stands on peer pressure and tradition. Lets keep going. A new Major League Baseball season just got underway, filled with the promise and excitement of what might await us over the next six months. For me, when I was on the Pirates and me having my dreadlocks, Id be lying to you if I said if I got traded over to the Yankees and they said you gotta shave your hair for me, that would have been a very tough thing to do. 1 Example as to why the Yankees old fart facial hair policy needs to end forever. Because Aaron Judge has a beard now, and he really should keep the beard. Mattingly refused, and was effectively benched because of it. Thats a man who should commit to a beard. That was how I expressed myself. The Yankees are the lone big-league team to have a policy that bans beards. I want to develop pride in the players as Yankees. In contrast, Charlie Finley, owner of the Oakland A's at around that same time, actually paid his players bonuses for growing out their facial hair and locks. Privacy Policy. In 2019, the State of New York passed a law that banned employment discrimination on the basis of hair. As owner Charlie Finley knew Jackson wouldnt respond to a direct confrontation, and instead he went so far as to offer a $300 bonus to his players if they grew mustaches, hoping the non-conformist Jackson would be driven to shave. '"[37], Around the time of Steinbrenner's edict, personal grooming policies among MLB teams greatly varied based on the personal preferences of managers. The moustache and beard are historical and valid external signs of black manhood and black culture, a writer for UCLAs black student newspaper, Nommo, wrote in support of Miltons cause. George Steinbrenner wanted his players to look neat. Fifty years later, the team still fears the beard, a silly policy endemic of an antiquated ethos that baseball is trying to get away from, In January 1973, George Steinbrenner, along with 11 other business partners, bought the New York Yankees. Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees with "long haired" Bat Boy pictured just to the left. Now the beard issue is dead. Is this something the Yankees really want to defend in 2022? Those policies shaving and letting the jersey speak for itself I definitely do think it takes away from our individualism as players and as people, he said. But more symbolically, one of his rules continues to be upheld to this day: If youre a New York Yankee, you cant have long hair and you cant have a beard. He also had been a member of the United States Air Force, which similar to other military branches also has an appearance policy. the policy takes away from practicing their individualism. , Our concern was to keep the proper image of major league players before young fans especially. Although MLB never instituted such a policy, there was concern baseballs conservative white fanbase would react poorly to facial hair, whether it was worn as an expression of black power, anti-war sentiments, or general disobedience. The Reds under noted racist owner Marge Schott held out until 1999, but even they relented to star power when they signed black slugger Greg Vaughn after he refused to shave his goatee.

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