Why Austin Wells’ Beard Might Be The Yankees’ Luckiest Charm

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated May 28, 2025 10:45 AM ET

For Austin Wells, it isn’t just fashion, it’s function. The New York Yankees’ catcher says that being able to grow a beard this season has helped him on the field. Wells told The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty that it helped his catcher’s mask fit a little better.

“It doesn’t get as irritated. So, that’s nice,” Wells told Kuty.

It’s also nice for Wells and the Yankees, because the fuller his beard, the more winning they are doing. Before the season kicked off, Wells and catching coach Tanner Swanson made a pact that they would only shave if the Yankees lost a series.

“Hopefully,” Wells said recently, “we don’t lose another series the rest of the year.”

While that would test the vague Yankees rules of “Don’t look like Duck Dynasty,” and perhaps put Wells in jeopardy of a reprimand from Brian Cashman of the Steinbrenner family, it is a fun glimpse inside the personality of the clubhouse.

And it’s a glimpse that wasn’t there last season. Or the nearly 50 years before. The Yankees shocked baseball when they announced their change to the facial-hair grooming policy this spring. The Yankees had banned beards for nearly 50 years, a rule put in place by the legendary owner George M. Steinbrenner.

Though somehow, on this streak, it’s easy to imagine “The Boss,” overlooking some whiskers.

With the win Tuesday night, the Yankees have won seven straight series since a rough patch in early May against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Starting pitcher Carlos Rodón, who’s seen Wells’ facial hair grow at full speed, joked, “I would prefer if he kept the beard, but I understand. He seems to grow a beard within two days. So I guess if he shaves it, it really doesn’t matter because it’s going to show up pretty quickly.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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