The New York Yankees have made the stunning decision to allow its players to grow a beard, after 49 years of banning all facial hair.
A shock statement was released by owner Hal Steinbrenner on Friday morning, in which he confirmed that, after speaking to a ‘large number of former and current Yankees’, the team is altering the policy.
From now on, Yankees players will be allowed ‘well-groomed beards’.
The full statement reads: ‘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.
‘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.’
More to follow.