Feb 17, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) (center) greets teammates during spring training practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dave Nelson-Imagn Images

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Yankees captain Aaron Judge takes stand on new facial hair policy

Imagine a beard on 6’7’’ giant Aaron Judge

You’d rarely hear me complain about Aaron Judge. This is one of those times. The fifth inning of Game 5 in the World Series was another. The whole 2024 postseason too.

When did we decide that facial hair – or rather, the lack of it – was a marker of discipline? George Steinbrenner, an army man, made that call nearly half a century ago years ago. Maybe back then, it felt like a reasonable connection. Maybe even a winning formula. But if there’s one thing Brian Cashman got right, it’s that the Yankees are a “gigantic naval battlecruiser” – and those take time to turn.

They finally turned.

It took Hal Steinbrenner a while, but he got there. The Yankees’ no-beard policy is gone, the team can finally move into the 21st century, and players no longer have to show up to work looking like they just left a military academy.

But about Aaron Judge? I have to admit, I’m a little disappointed.

What did Aaron Judge say?

Asked if he’d grow a beard, Aaron Judge didn’t hesitate. “No.”

Aaron Judge gave a succinct "no" when asked if he'll grow a beard. He said he was "shocked" by the change, even after conversations with #Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, but he's in favor of it.

"If this is something that's going to stop us from winning games or stop us from…
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) February 22, 2025

He admitted he was “shocked” by the change, even after conversations with Hal Steinbrenner, but ultimately backed it.

“If this is something that’s going to stop us from winning games or stop us from getting a player or stop a certain guy from not performing their best, why would we put that in the way of what our ultimate goal is?” Judge said.

Which, fine. That makes sense. But then came the next part.

“If that little rule is going to stop you from coming here, then you probably shouldn’t be here.”

Aaron Judge was not worried about players not coming to the Yankees because of the facial hair policy pic.twitter.com/dNRkKM5ep3
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) February 22, 2025

And that didn’t feel as cool as I wanted it to.

It’s not about a rule stopping someone from coming to the Yankees – it’s about not giving players unnecessary reasons to think twice. Even Derek Jeter, the guy who spent two decades as the poster child for clean-shaven Yankees baseball, jumped on the beard train the second he got the chance and is now having his own fun with it.

Hal Steinbrenner called the decision “years in the making.” Maybe a little too late, but better late than never.

ALSO READ: Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman reaches critical point in return timeline

As for Aaron Judge? No one’s saying he has to grow a full beard. But a little stubble on a 6’7’’ giant wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Aaron Judge

Yankees

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.