A subject that has been in the news for several years has once again appeared in the news of the baseball world.
Is the New York Yankees' anti-hair policy still relevant?
If the subject is talked about this time, it is because a former Yankees player strongly opposed it during a publication on the social network X.
Players hate these internal rules
Cameron Maybin, who played with the Yankees during the 2019 season, mentioned that from what he knows, several players are resistant to the idea of joining the Bronx Bombers because of this anti-hair policy facial.
Still according to the former outfielder, the Yankees would be more easily able to attract free agents if they removed this regulation from their code of conduct.
For a little context, the rule was put into effect in 1976, by the late George Steinbrenner. In the past, this measure was intended, according to Steinbrenner, to promote order and discipline among the players. That said, almost 50 years later, there is reason to question whether forcing players to wear short hair and daily shaving (in addition to the mustache, which is permitted), still embodies a feeling discipline among the new generation of players? To ask the question is to answer it, according to the humble author of these lines!
To further prove Maybin right, we must remember that former Giants and Dodgers Brian Wilson refused at the time to become a member of the Yankees due to politics. The one we nicknamed The Beard, in fact, had an imposing and breathtaking beard to dream of. He was one of the best gunners during his good years and New York was unable to benefit from his talent because of this internal clause.
For his part, those not so young will remember that David Price openly said he never wanted to evolve in New York because of this. A former Yankees and current big name in baseball has already spoken on the subject. Andrew McCutchen has openly said he is upset about having to shave his beard.
Living in the era of time
Purists will tell you that in this age of social casualness, it is good to have a bit of rectitude and uniformity within the members of a group aiming for a common goal.
By the way, this policy is still in effect within the army troops. National Defense is the pure and hard embodiment of discipline. The anti-hair policy is also imposed on firefighters. However, this directive is applied for safety reasons related to the respiratory mask.
For their part, radical activists for individual freedoms will tell you that imposing such a label is almost illegal. That this almost flouts the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The most moderate will say that with less than a month to go until 2024, this no longer has to be the case. Nowadays people are tattooed, pierced, eccentric, etc.
Who is right here? Nobody and everyone in fact! That's the beauty of it.
