Earlier this offseason, the Milwaukee Brewers made the decision to trade two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees for left-handed starting pitcher Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin. The trade, of course, was expect as Williams is entering his final season before hitting free agency, and will be far too expensive for Milwaukee to re-sign. Trading him early, as they did with Josh Hader, ensured that they got some players in return for him instead of, well, nothing.
But even when the trade was completed, everyone, especially Brewers and Yankees fans, were all wondering the same thing: would New York force Williams to shave his beard, which he has sported ever since he broke into the Majors?
Former Milwaukee Brewers Closer Devin Williams Had to Follow the New York Yankees Facial Hair Rule
When George Steinbrenner bought the Yankees in 1973, he was repulsed by his players having long hair and beards during the National Anthem. An Air Force veteran, he himself had to abide by a strict appearance code in his younger days, and wanted the same to apply for his players.
And so, long hair and beards have been banned by the Yankees ever since. Per Sporting News, the rule reads, “”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. Long sideburns and ‘mutton chops’ are not specifically banned.”
This rule, of course, means that Williams, the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year, had to shave his beard before reporting for Spring Training. Which he did.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Devin Williams Sparks Debate Online Over Fresh Shave
As has been the case for a years now, fans had a lot to say, both in support of and against, the Yankees’ policy:
You’d think Steinbrenner was a Colonel the way this rule has stayed in that organization https://t.co/ZtHda5M9fX
— jerin. (@jerinlatrey) February 13, 2025
The policy is archaic. https://t.co/NcVIUa46ec
— Fried Chicken and Moët (@DereckHarmon) February 13, 2025
George so trash for creating this rule , never made sense and doesn’t correlate with winning.@Yankees it’s time to end it https://t.co/Rvi2w5ra6D
— JU-Bron , Da People’s Champion 🎉🍾 (@Jugg_Que_Naut) February 13, 2025
To work at In and Out Burger
Or play for the Yankees is the same facial hair requirement! https://t.co/dKmgpUE5ok— TheToysRusKid (@JC1of1) February 13, 2025
I disagree with this completely. I think it’s great to have the facial hair policy. It keeps the team professional. I do not want to see a Yankee player have a beard because it is just wrong. #RepBX https://t.co/mSezGatgIs
— Tanner Fessey (@FesseyTanner) February 13, 2025
It is worth noting that Juan Soto, the biggest free agent on the market this past offseason, played for the Yankees last year, and did not like their facial hair policy.
He signed with the New York Mets.
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