According to NBC News and MLB.com, the policy dates back to George Steinbrenner’s (Hal’s late father) purchase of the team in 1973, with Yankees legends at the time, including Sparky Lyle, Thurman Munson, Bobby Murcer, Fritz Peterson and Roy White, all being forced to shave.

It's going to be quite a different look for the Yankees. In a few months, anyway. Every player has almost certainly shaved whatever facial hair they had from the winter in preparation for spring training. Someone in pinstripes should be rocking an awesome (well-groomed) beard by April.

Radio host Stephen A. Smith blasted the Yankees for their long 20-minute press conference over their facial hair policy.

After owner Hal Steinbrenner announced the Yankees would take a softer stance on their strict, long-standing policy regarding facial hair, the decision was met mostly with positiv

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