Yankees' Devin Williams: Old facial hair policy would've been free agency factor

Gary Phillips, New York Daily News on Feb 22, 2025

Published in Baseball

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TAMPA, Fla. — Count Devin Williams among those who are pleased with the Yankees’ updated facial hair policy.

The All-Star closer, acquired in a trade with the Brewers over the offseason without any say in the matter, said that the Bombers’ past ban on facial hair below the upper lip would have been a factor in free agency. The Yankees amended the policy on Friday to permit “well-groomed beards,” an announcement that shocked the baseball world.

“It’s something that I would consider, for sure,” Williams, set to hit the open market next winter, said of the old rule.

The Yankees announced their policy change after several years of consideration by owner Hal Steinbrenner. Steinbrenner thought about the subject more earnestly in recent months and weeks, speaking with numerous people inside and outside of the Yankees organization. That group included players like Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton and Williams.

While explaining his decision to change the policy, Steinbrenner said that he had become concerned that the Yankees’ “outdated” policy could prevent the team from acquiring or retaining talented players.

“If I ever found out that a player we wanted to acquire to make us better, to get us a championship, did not want to be here and, if he had the ability, would not come here because of that policy ... that would be very, very concerning,” said Steinbrenner, whose father, George, implemented the policy in the 1970s. “And I’m fairly convinced that’s a real concern.”

Williams, clearly unhappy with the old rule in the early days of spring training, said that he spoke to Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman last week. The righty shared that shaving “is not my preference,” as well as his reasons why, but he declined to elaborate when speaking with reporters on Saturday.

Williams did say that he didn’t think anything would come of the conversation.

“I was pretty surprised that it actually happened, but I was excited about it,” the 30-year-old said. “It’s been a long tradition, which I respect that. I’m just happy with the decision [Steinbrenner] made.”

The Yankees’ grooming policy — which still forbids hair below the collar — has become an increasingly polarizing subject. It often gets buzz when a new player changes their look upon arrival, or when an ex-Yankee adapts a shaggy look upon joining a new team.

Williams reported to Yankees camp with a thick beard, which he wore in Milwaukee, when pitchers and catchers arrived for physicals. He then shaved for the group’s first official workout, leaving a permissible mustache. The trim sparked conversation on social media before Williams then took team photos with a noticeable-but-light beard.

The pics were taken before the Yankees changed their policy.

“It was a part of their rules,” Williams said. “So it is what it is. I obviously shaved my beard, so I was complying with the policy. But now I’m glad that it’s been changed.”

Williams added that the old policy is something “everyone’s well aware of” across the league.

“Some guys aren’t OK with that,” he continued.

Steinbrenner said that Yankees players will get guidelines on what a “well-groomed” beard looks like, but those haven’t come down the pipe yet. Williams doesn’t think keeping his beard “nice and neat” will be too difficult, though. He’ll have help from the Yankees’ clubhouse barber.

But Williams plans on bringing his beard back as best he can within the parameters. It’s just a matter of how quickly he can grow it out.

“That’s my preferred look,” he said. “That’s how I feel most comfortable for myself. I can’t really speak to other people, but I know that’s how I’m most comfortable.”