Former Yankees OF explains how facial hair policy hurts team

Former owner George Steinbrenner and former manager Billy Martin codified the Yankees' facial hair policy in 1976, prohibiting players from having bears, mutton chops and long hair. It has remained in place ever since, and several prominent players have had to adopt a cleaner image when putting on the pinstripes. Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is one of the more prominent players in recent years who had to significantly alter his appearance when signing with the team.

On one hand, there is probably a lot of truth to what Maybin is saying. Especially in 2023 when players having outrageously long beards, and facial hair has become more of a trend across sports. 

But the Yankees have had that policy in place for decades and never used to have a problem acquiring the game's top stars. Mainly because they were willing to go above and beyond and pay top dollar to acquire them. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Yankees landed elite players like Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Mark Teixeira and Johnny Damon among many others. 

In recent years, that approach has changed a little. There have been the occasional big splashes (Giancarlo Stanton trade, signing Cole, acquiring Soto), but they have had far more misses on the game's top players.

Especially as it relates to free agency. 

A lot of that has been the Yankees' unwillingness to spend beyond the luxury tax, as Hal Steinbrenner has not really taken the same "win-at-all-costs" approach that "The Boss" did. Maybe it's the facial hair policy. Maybe it's the money. Or maybe it's a combination of both. Either way, the Yankees know what they want their players to look like and don't seem to be in any hurry to change their policy.