TAMPA — Rely Devin Williams amongst those that are happy with the Yankees’ up to date facial hair coverage.
The All-Star nearer, acquired in a commerce with the Brewers over the offseason with none say within the matter, mentioned that the Bombers’ previous ban on facial hair under the higher lip would have been a think about free company. The Yankees amended the coverage on Friday to allow “well-groomed beards,” an announcement that shocked the baseball world.
“It’s something that I would consider, for sure,” Williams, set to hit the open market subsequent winter, mentioned of the previous rule.
The Yankees introduced their coverage change after a number of years of consideration by proprietor Hal Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner thought in regards to the topic extra earnestly in current months and weeks, talking with quite a few folks inside and outdoors of the Yankees group. That group included gamers like Aaron Decide, Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton and Williams.
Whereas explaining his determination to alter the coverage, Steinbrenner mentioned that he had change into involved that the Yankees’ “outdated” coverage may forestall the crew from buying or retaining proficient gamers.
“If I ever found out that a player we wanted to acquire to make us better, to get us a championship, did not want to be here and, if he had the ability, would not come here because of that policy… that would be very, very concerning,” mentioned Steinbrenner, whose father, George, applied the coverage within the Seventies. “And I’m fairly convinced that’s a real concern.”
Williams, clearly sad with the previous rule within the early days of spring coaching, mentioned that he spoke to Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman final week. The righty shared that shaving “is not my preference,” in addition to his explanation why, however he declined to elaborate when talking with reporters on Saturday.
Williams did say that he didn’t assume something would come of the dialog.
“I was pretty surprised that it actually happened, but I was excited about it,” the 30-year-old mentioned. “It’s been a long tradition, which I respect that. I’m just happy with the decision [Steinbrenner] made.”
The Yankees’ grooming coverage — which nonetheless forbids hair under the collar — has change into an more and more polarizing topic. It usually will get buzz when a brand new participant adjustments their look upon arrival, or when an ex-Yankee adapts a shaggy look upon becoming a member of a brand new crew.
Williams reported to Yankees camp with a thick beard, which he wore in Milwaukee, when pitchers and catchers arrived for physicals. He then shaved for the group’s first official exercise, leaving a permissible mustache. The trim sparked dialog on social media earlier than Williams then took crew images with a noticeable-but-light beard.
The pics have been taken earlier than the Yankees modified their coverage.
“It was a part of their rules,” Williams mentioned. “So it is what it is. I obviously shaved my beard, so I was complying with the policy. But now I’m glad that it’s been changed.”
Williams added that the previous coverage is one thing “everyone’s well aware of” throughout the league.
“Some guys aren’t OK with that,” he continued.
Steinbrenner mentioned that Yankees gamers will get pointers on what a “well-groomed” beard seems like, however these haven’t come down the pipe but. Williams doesn’t assume preserving his beard “nice and neat” shall be too troublesome, although. He’ll have assist from the Yankees’ clubhouse barber.
However Williams plans on bringing his beard again as finest he can inside the parameters. It’s only a matter of how shortly he can develop it out.
“That’s my preferred look,” he mentioned. “That’s how I feel most comfortable for myself. I can’t really speak to other people, but I know that’s how I’m most comfortable.”
Initially Printed: February 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM EST
