Why Austin Wells is allowed to have a beard for Yankees after policy change

Even a year into this, it all looks a little strange.

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells has a full beard. That's simply not something you used to see with the Yankees.

Of course, for those who didn't remember, that was by design.

For about a half-century, Yankees players weren't allowed to have anything more than a mustache.

Wells, though, now has a full-on beard.

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Why is Austin Wells allowed to have a beard?

Wells is allowed to have a beard because in February 2025, Hal Steinbrenner amended the club's facial hair policy.

"We will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward," Steinbrenner said in a statement. "It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."

The Yankees' facial hair policy was begun by owner George Steinbrenner in 1976. It wasn't actually official until three years later, but "The Boss" had asked for the clean-shaven look for his players in 1976, three years after buying the Yankees.

"I have nothing against long hair per se," George Steinbrenner said then, via the Associated Press. "But I'm trying to instill certain sense of order and discipline in the ballclub because I think discipline is important in an athlete."

Now, though, Yankees players can have "well-groomed" beards. Not many are taking advantage -- Devin Williams did so last season before departing for the Mets. Wells continues the look for 2026.

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