Have you ever taken a good look at the player’s facial hair when you watched a game of baseball? You might not realize it, but the topic of grooming in the major leagues is actually full of interesting tales.
Just this year, managing partner Hal Steinbrenner of the New York Yankees (son of the legendary Yankees owner George Steinbrenner) released a statement that the team would amend its longstanding facial hair policy, adding another chapter to the saga.
Marty Appel, former PR director for the Yankees, joined “Something Offbeat” to help us understand how it fits in to the history of the team and how it has approached grooming through different eras of fashion. He was around when the Yankees’ facial hair policy got started, and he’s written more than 20 books – most on baseball – including Pinstripe Empire: The New York Yankees from Before the Babe to After the Boss.
In addition to facial hair, he also explained how the team changes along with fashion.
“I remember when we traveled, we’d always wear suits and ties or sports jackets and ties,” Appel said. “But then there were some lax years. When Bill Virdon managed us in the middle 70s, there was no dress code. And I remember some outrageous outfits the players wore.”
Listen to the full episode here to learn more.
Each week, “Something Offbeat” takes a deeper look at an unusual headline. If you have suggestions for stories the podcast should cover, send them to us at somethingoffbeat@audacy.com.