The New York Yankees shook up their franchise history this week when they announced the reversal of a decades-old policy banning its players from sporting beards.
In previous seasons, players were allowed to have mustaches – as long as they were maintained – but many athletes were required to shave off anything more than their upper lip.
That is, until Friday. The Yankees held a press conference with owner Hal Steinbrenner announcing that they would allow players to have ‘well-groomed beards’ moving forward.
It’s a policy that has been long mocked and maligned in baseball circles – with players previously voicing their opinions against the rule.
But moments after the change was made, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith expressed his anger at the announcement.
Specifically, Smith took issue with the Yankees hosting a press conference to announce this change.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced a change to the team’s facial hair policy Friday
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had an issue with the long press conference announcing the change
New closer Devin Williams famously wears a beard but was forced to get rid recently
In a brief rant, Smith decided to change tack when asked an NBA question ahead of a game between the New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
‘I interrupt this SportsCenter right now—a 20-minute press conference over facial hair? What a disgrace! I can’t believe it,’ Smith complained.
‘I’m a Yankees fan, you know I’m a die-hard Yankees fan, I’m trying to keep my cool, you understand what I’m saying?
‘But I mean damn you ain’t won a World Series title since 2009, you haven’t been to one until last year when you got walked by the Dodgers, and facial hair is the reason there was a press conference?’
Smith then needed to take a quick breath before eventually continuing with the initial question asked.
Late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner implemented the policy against beards dating back to the 1970s. Steinbrenner also had rules against players having long hair.
The decision comes shortly after the arrival of Devin Williams to the clubhouse, the former Brewers pitcher who famously wears a beard.
