Justin Turner has an alternative theory on why the Yankees did an abrupt about-face on the franchise’s long-standing hair policy.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner announced Friday that players and all uniformed personnel will now be allowed to have well-groomed beards for the first time in nearly 50 years, amending a policy from his father George Steinbrenner that had only permitted mustaches.
Cubs infielder Justin Turner, well known for his long red beard and most of the time hair that’s grown to his neck, was asked about the decision by USA Today’s Bob Knightingale.
He felt it was “about time” and hilariously attributed the decision to his former Red Sox and Dodgers teammate Alex Verdugo, who spent last season with the Yankees.
“I wonder what made them change their mind,” Turner said. “Did someone look so bad without a beard that they’re like, ‘We got to change this?’ Was it Alex Verdugo? He looked terrible.”
Verdugo has to save his usual beard and limit the number of chains he wears during games after being traded to the Yankees before last season.
“It’s kind of been hard, man, because usually I’m used to wearing like three of four,” Verdugo said of the chains last April.
The left fielder struggled during his only season in The Bronx, hitting .233 with 13 home runs 61 RBIs and a career-low .647 OPS while still providing strong defense.
Verdugo, who is still a free agent, hit just .208 during the Yankees’ run to the World Series but did deliver eight RBIs.
“I don’t know how that rule makes anybody a better baseball player,” Turner said. “Yeah we’re professionals, but it’s 2025, you should be able to express yourself a little bit.’’
Steinbrenner said the change ultimately goes back to putting the best product on the field.
“Winning was the most important thing to my father,” Steinbrenner said at a press conference Friday morning. “If somebody came and told him that they were very sure this could affect us getting the players we want to get … If something like this would detract from that or lessen our chances, I don’t know, I think he might be a little more apt to do the change that I did than people think, because it was about winning.”
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