Better late than never, and even though this announcement would’ve done the New York Yankees a bit better at the onset of free agency, owner Hal Steinbrenner has rightfully altered a longstanding team policy that needed to go.

Steinbrenner announced Friday morning that the Yankees have altered their facial hair policy as a result of mounting criticisms from current and former players (and we’re sure he’s heard it from the fans over the last couple decades).

It’s not exactly a momentous change. You won’t be seeing someone like Brandon Marsh take the field for the Bombers anytime soon. But we’ll take the baby step of allowing “well-groomed beards” as an upgrade from “mustaches only.” The only trouble here might be defining “well-groomed” since that may be subjective to some facial hair aficionados.

There’s no doubt that closer Devin Williams’ arrival to the Bronx pushed this conversation forward, and fast. The former Brewer came to spring training sporting just a stache, and the reaction from fans was particularly loud. Many are just sick of these unrecognizable looks from players they’ve grown to know over the years.

Alex Verdugo’s look was jarring last year. To be frank, we’d like to see Gerrit Cole rocking the beard like he did in Houston because it was intimidating. Let’s see which players respond after Hal’s announcement.

Statement from Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner on the alteration of Yankees facial hair policy: pic.twitter.com/UdEuAg3gZy

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 21, 2025

Yankees News: Hal Steinbrenner announces facial hair policy change

Mostly, though, we are fed up with seeing former Yankees who wake up with a beard the day after officially becoming a free agent. It’s exhausting because it’s such a weak way to “send a message.” Thankfully, we will never see that again from this point forward.

Hal Steinbrenner said the club’s hair policy — no hair grown below the collar — will remain unchanged.

— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) February 21, 2025

Perhaps it was Williams himself who spurred the change, as it appeared he snuck in a shadow of sorts during team photos at spring training. Let’s get cracking on that contract extension if this helps him feel more at home.

We’ve seen previous offseason beards on guys like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, with fans wishing for those looks during gameplay. We’re one step closer to that reality.

George Steinbrenner instituted the policy back in 1973 and it is now no more. This might be one of the few Hal changes that fans are ecstatic about, so he should capture this momentum in a bottle and sign off on a blockbuster trade before the excitement dies down.