The New York Yankees changing their nearly 50-year-old facial hair policy beginning this season to allow "well-groomed" beards, according to owner Hal Steinbrenner, caught many in the baseball world off guard.

Current owner Hal Steinbrenner announced the change Friday before the team’s spring training opener. New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole takes part in pickoff drills during a spring training baseball workout Thursday,

Austin Wells, Gerrit Cole, Gleyber Torres and more all weighed in on the surprising change to a longstanding Yankee tradition.

This is a 2025 photo of Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees baseball team Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. This image reflects the Yankees active roster as

Count Yankees ace Gerrit Cole among those extremely excited to see how Fried fares in pinstripes. “Just an excellent addition,” Cole told reporters Saturday. Cole called Fried a “unique talent” who should be an excellent fit in New York.

The Yankees still haven't forgotten how the Dodgers celebrated after ending their season in Game 5 of the World Series.

And, as he did on Friday during his bullpen session, Cole had one of his childhood heroes watching from behind the mound, Roger Clemens, who is in camp as a guest instructor. “It was awesome,” Cole said Sunday. “It’s really great. Álex [Rodríguez] was in the house the other day, too. It’s good vibes.

The Yankees continued their spring training schedule with a strong 6–3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, showing off some early-season power and solid

The reigning Rookie of the Year cut his bullpen session short Friday morning and will undergo an MRI over the weekend to determine the extent of the injury.