Yankees Change Sparks Strong Response Before 2025 Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew McCarty | Last updated Feb 24, 2025 10:50 AM ET

Late last week, the New York Yankees stunned the Major League Baseball world by changing their facial hair policy that forbade players from growing beards during the season.

“In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback,” Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement.

“These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”

That's not the only change the Yankees are making before the 2025 season kicks off, though. According to a new report, the team will no longer play "Theme from New York, New York," the iconic song from Frank Sinatra, after losses.

"The Yankees will no longer play Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York” after losses, the club confirmed. Instead, there will be a rotating selection of songs — Sinatra’s 'That’s Life' was played today," Yankees insider Bryan Hoch said.

The Yankees will no longer play Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York” after losses, the club confirmed.

Instead, there will be a rotating selection of songs — Sinatra’s “That’s Life” was played today.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 23, 2025

The baseball world flocked to social media to react to the newest change.

"RIP to one of my favorite traditions in baseball: hearing this song play as my Houston Astros storm the field to celebrate yet another trip to the World Series," one person joked.

"One of my favorite memories from Yankee Stadium as an opposing player was after a win, walking in from the bullpen singing that song at the top of my lungs. Good times," said a retired MLB pitcher.

"Juan Soto debuting with the Mets this week has totally sent them spiraling. First the beards thing, now this Yankees will 100% will be putting names on the backs of jerseys by Opening Day," joked another.

For a team so inspired by its history, the Yankees are certainly making waves with their offseason changes.

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

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