Baseball is a sport that has been around for centuries and is a beloved pastime for many in the United States. Its long history has seen many traditions and rules come and go, including those regarding players’ facial hair. Although most teams allow their players to have beards, there are still some teams that do not allow them.
The History of Facial Hair in Baseball
Throughout the history of baseball, there has always been a debate around facial hair. The debate began in the late 1800s when the New York Giants manager, John McGraw, banned his players from growing facial hair. This was the first recorded instance of a team banning facial hair and it set the precedent for many other teams to follow suit. Since then, teams have had a variety of rules regarding facial hair. While some teams had strict bans, others allowed players to have beards as long as they kept them neatly trimmed.
Which Teams Do Not Allow Beards?
There are still some teams that do not allow their players to have beards. The most notable team that does not allow beards is the New York Yankees. The Yankees have had a strict “no facial hair” policy since 1973, which was implemented by then-owner George Steinbrenner. The policy does not allow any facial hair, including mustaches and goatees, and is still in effect today.
Other teams that do not allow beards include the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, and the San Francisco Giants. The Cubs and Angels both have long-standing policies that prohibit players from having facial hair, while the Giants recently implemented a similar policy in 2017.
Why Do Some Teams Ban Beards?
There are a few different reasons why some teams do not allow their players to have beards. One of the main reasons is to maintain a sense of uniformity amongst the team and ensure that all players look the same. This is especially important for teams like the Yankees and Cubs, who have a long and storied history and want to maintain their iconic look.
Another reason why some teams do not allow beards is that they believe it can be a potential distraction. Some teams believe that beards can draw the attention away from the game and onto the player’s appearance. This is especially true for teams that have a devout fan base and need to ensure that the players are focused on the game and not on their facial hair.
Conclusion
Beards have been a part of baseball for centuries and will no doubt continue to be so. However, there are still some teams that do not allow their players to have them. The most well-known team that bans facial hair is the New York Yankees, who have had a strict policy since 1973. Other teams that do not allow beards are the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, and the San Francisco Giants. The reasons why some teams ban beards vary, but most of them are due to wanting to maintain a sense of uniformity and avoid distraction.