By KDA Sports | Newsweek | Updated March 28, 2025, 2:34 PM
The New York Yankees recently ended their long-standing facial hair ban, a policy in place since 1976. This decision made headlines, as the Yankees had been the last MLB team to prohibit beards. One of the most vocal opponents of the rule was closer Devin Williams, a two-time All-Star acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in a December trade.
Williams Embraces Yankees’ Policy Shift
In a recent GQ interview, Williams discussed how the change impacted him.
“I just prefer to have facial hair,” Williams told Matthew Roberson. “I like the way I look that way. I was rocking that little scraggly struggle beard for a while. But it got there eventually.”
While he didn’t claim his beard directly boosted his confidence, Williams acknowledged that feeling good about his appearance influences other areas of life.
Yankees’ Stance on Facial Hair Policy and Player Comfort
Back in February, Yankees chairman Hal Steinbrenner addressed the organization’s decision to lift the rule, emphasizing that it shouldn’t be a barrier to acquiring top talent.
“If I ever found out that a player we wanted, someone who could help us win a championship, refused to come here because of that policy, that would be very concerning,” Steinbrenner told the New York Post. “I am fairly convinced that’s a real concern.”
Williams Open to a Future in New York
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, Williams appears open to the idea of a long-term future with the Yankees—regardless of the facial hair policy. However, now that he can keep his beard, he seems even more enthusiastic about staying.
As Williams looked around the Yankees’ clubhouse, he reflected on his time in New York:
“When I’m 65 years old, it’ll be cool to look back on that year I lived in New York,” he said. “Or maybe it’ll be more.”
At 30 years old, Williams boasts an impressive 27-10 record with a 1.86 ERA in 242 major league appearances. He has recorded 377 strikeouts in 236.2 innings, converting 69 saves in his career. His Yankees debut on Thursday saw him close out a 4-2 victory against his former team, the Brewers.
