Hairy Yankee cards, a change in legacy
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In a move that many baseball fans thought they’d never see, the New York Yankees have officially amended their decades-old grooming policy, allowing players and uniformed personnel to now sport well-groomed beards.
Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement on Friday, Feburary 21st, noting that extensive discussions with former and current Yankees influenced his decision. It's no surprise that this shift aligns the team with modern baseball policies and allows players to showcase more individuality on and off the field.
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Over the years, several iconic Yankees such as Don Mattingly, Oscar Gamble, Thurman Munson, and Sparky Lyle, have had very public love-hate relationships with the team’s long-standing grooming policy. Now, with that policy finally modified, it feels like the perfect time to highlight some of their most notable cards, especially since they didn’t always adhere to the rules.
Now let’s take a look at some of the legendary Yankees who once flaunted such signature looks across their respected baseball cards.
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1976 Topps Traded - Oscar Gamble (#74T) – Oscar Gamble’s iconic afro and mustache defined an era, and while his hair was famously tamed upon donning the Yankees’ pinstripes, his look on other teams became the stuff of legend. His 1976 Topps Traded card, featuring him in all his free-spirited, full-haired glory, remains a sought-after gem.
1971 Topps - Thurman Munson (#5) – Thurman Munson, the Yankees’ beloved captain, was known for his rugged playing style, which was complemented by his signature mustache. His 1971 Topps card, featuring an intense clean-shaven Munson in his catching gear, gives a glimpse of the natural grit and tenacity he regularly demonstrated.
1975 Topps - Sparky Lyle (#485) – The legendary reliever Sparky Lyle was another Yankee who bristled at the strict grooming rules. Lyle’s thick mustache was a trademark of his career, immortalized in this 1975 Topps card. As one of the most dominant relief pitchers of his time, he proved that talent trumped any grooming rule or restriction.
1984 Donruss Don Mattingly (#248) – Don Mattingly, a fan favorite and one of the best hitters of his generation, famously clashed with the Yankees' regarding the grooming policy and although his 1984 Donruss rookie card captures him in his clean-cut Yankees look, a more relaxed policy may have had him featuring a much darker 5 o'clock shadow or even a full beard.
This policy change isn’t just a win for players, it’s also a win for baseball card collectors, too. Future Yankees cards will now capture a broader range of players facial features, adding a fresh dynamic to the hobby. No longer will players have to shave off defining features before their Topps, Panini, or Bowman rookie cards are immortalized, opening the door for a surge in demand for memorabilia that truly reflects their personalities.
Passionate sports card collector and writer based in Queens, NY. Lifelong fan of the New York Mets, Jets, and Rangers. Covering sports cards and collectibles with deep industry knowledge and enthusiasm, while bringing a fresh perspective to the ever-evolving hobby world on http://SI.com/collectibles.