Earlier today, the New York Yankees made a blockbuster announcement, confirming that their age old grooming policy that required players to shave their beards would be modified ahead of the 2025 MLB season. From now on, players were be permitted to grow beards so long as they are “well-groomed.” He hasn’t said anything since the announcement, but we already know Devin Williams is stoked!
But the real winners of this long overdue change? Anyone who plays MLB The Show!
Unfortunately, it’s hard to code a game to make a player clean shaven if they are to join the Yankees organization in Franchise or Road to the Show mode. Therefore, in past titles, anyone who was using the Yankees in any mode and modifying rosters couldn’t just make Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shave his beard and dreadlocks, or get Mookie Betts to trim the 5 o’clock shadow.
Hilariously, San Diego Studio — MLB The Show‘s developer — released a throwback Gary Sanchez card this past year for one of MLB The Show 24‘s Moonshot events, commemorating the catcher’s prime with the Yanks. The press release showed Sanchez’s face mostly obscured by the follow-through of his swing. This is because even old school cards of modern MLB players don’t use different player models than their modern-day counterparts. Since leaving the Bronx, Sanchez has grown a full beard. And having him in said beard while wearing the Pinstripes would’ve definitely been… odd.
So rejoice, MLB The Show players! Immersion is no longer an issue when it comes to trades and free agency signings in the Bronx!
Contrary to popular belief, the Yankees’ rules against long hair and beards aren’t some relic from the early 20th century. In fact, the rule didn’t exist at all until 1976, shortly after George Steinbrenner bought the team. Instead, the grooming standards of society at the time generally frowned upon beards, with nearly all baseball players voluntarily opting to stay clean-cut and shaven when taking the field. And the ones that didn’t were often told to shave, lest they be seen a person of low standards.
This kind of “gentlemen’s agreement” regarding beards and long hair began to wane in the 1970s, with many MLB players beginning to grow facial hair or keep their long locks during the regular season. Steinbrenner — in an effort to instill “order and discipline” within the Yankees organization — quickly put a stop to this growing practice in the Bronx, forcing all players to be clean shaven and have short hair during the season. Supposedly, star Yankees outfielder Lou Piniella took exception to this and protested the decision. As the story goes, Piniella met with Steinbrenner at the latter’s home to plead his case for keeping his long hair. Piniella came prepared, invoking Steinbrenner’s devout Christian faith.
Piniella argued that Jesus had a beard and long hair, so surely it wasn’t that big of deal.. Unimpressed, Steinbrenner brought Piniella to his backyard, near the pool. “If you can walk across the water in that pool, you don’t have to get a haircut,” Steinbrenner told him.
Well played.
Published: Feb 21, 2025 8:06 PM UTC