MLB Analyst Suggests Antiquated Rule Is Holding Back Yankees in Free Agency

He wrote that a number of players believe the rule is "wack."

Only one team in professional sports has an appearance policy worthy of its own Wikipedia page.

For almost five decades, the Yankees have hewn closely to late former owner George Steinbrenner's attitude toward facial hair. New York's players are expressly prohibited from growing "any facial hair other than mustaches (except for religious reasons)."

The policy has long polarized opinion among both Yankees fans and baseball fans in general. Some argue its persistence into the 21st century keeps New York unique, while others deplore its restriction on players' individuality.

Put former Yankees outfielder-turned-analyst Cameron Maybin in the latter camp, as he expressed on social media Thursday afternoon.

"This might be an unpopular take to Yankees fans, but you’d be surprised how much more attractive the Yankees would be if they got rid of that facial hair rule. You wouldn’t believe how many quality players just think it’s a wack rule to have," Maybin wrote.

This might be an unpopular take to Yankees fans, but you’d be surprised how much more attractive the Yankees would be if they got rid of that facial hair rule. You wouldn’t believe how many quality players just think it’s a wack rule to have. I mean cmon we’re coming up on 2024…

— Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) December 7, 2023

Maybin's comment came in the wake of the Yankees' Wednesday trade for three-time All-Star outfielder Juan Soto. New York has also been bandied about this offseason as a potential destination for two of the game's best available free agents: designated hitter and pitcher Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.