Yankees legends weigh in on loosening of facial hair rules at Fanatics Fanfest

Alex Rodriguez’s tenure with the Yankees was filled with controversy, including a season-long suspension in 2014 for performance-enhancing drugs. On Friday at Fanatics Fest, he even referred to his past self as a “knucklehead.”

But there’s one thing Rodriguez said he would never get in trouble for — owning a beard.

Rodriguez admitted he couldn’t grow one, even if he tried, inciting laughs from the audience at the “Only in New York: 27 Rings” panel. Numerous former Yankees shared respective opinions on the beard ban, which New York lightened in February, changing the rule so that “well-groomed beards” are allowed.

Derek Jeter felt the beard interdiction was more about upholding rules than anything else. The 14-time All-Star and Hall-of-Famer mentioned how when he first came up, players also had to wear slacks on the road, along with a suit and tie.

“I think it’s important to have rules, because I think it keeps you disciplined,” Jeter said. “But each individual one, I don’t think is really that big of a deal.”

Jorge Posada said he didn’t want to shave if he recorded a few hits, but that he respected former owner George Steinbrenner’s rules. Posada cited how Yankees’ players were forced to sign a booklet that contained all of the team’s rules during spring training.

Andy Pettitte said he didn’t have an issue with the ban and that he usually shaved right after he pitched. But the three-time All-Star admitted he “hated shaving”, citing how it made him look like a wimp on the mound.

Pettitte shared how he heard about New York potentially losing out on free agents due to the beard ban. Hal Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees since his father’s death in 2010, similarly felt the disallowment was outdated, leading to the recent change after the policy had held for nearly 50 years.

“I think when you start looking at it in that sense, I was like, ‘Man, I mean, let it go,’” Pettitte said.