Dave Nelson-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees have been undergoing some major changes in recent months, both on and off the field. In the last few months alone, the Yankees have lost Juan Soto to the Mets, signed manager Aaron Boone to a contract extension, and brought in players such as Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Max Fried, and Devin Williams.
The Yankees going through some sort-of-on-the-field-sort-of-off-the-field changes recently too, as the team announced two key changes to the franchise over the weekend: players will now be allowed to grow beards, and Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ will no longer be played after losses. The beard rule change is particularly notable, as the Yankees decision to govern their players facial hair has been seen as antiquated for decades now.
At the time of losing Juan Soto, there were reports the team’s stinginess over keeping with tradition and not giving his family a personal box at Yankee Stadium was a factor in him choosing the Mets, so perhaps the Bronx Bombers are trying to modernize themselves a bit in response.
According to a report from the New York Post‘s Yankees beat writer Greg Joyce, team captain Aaron Judge said we will not be growing a beard, was shocked as the decision and that he wants other rules to remain in place.
“Aaron Judge will not be growing a beard. He said he was shocked by the decision, but understands why Hal Steinbrenner changed the facial hair policy, making sure NYY could be its best. Judge made it clear to Hal he wanted other rules to remain because they help teach discipline,” Joyce reported.
Judge’s comments on the matter resulted in him taking shots from both Yankees fans and baseball fans at-large, with comes barbs such as dork, nerd, and loser being tossed around.
Man, he really does have the personality of a turd https://t.co/2vuUZ2fXqt
— Former Red Sox CBO (@FenwayAttendee) February 22, 2025
What a nerd https://t.co/t0PAOJGfhJ
— Doug Daikindome ジョン・アレクサンダー (@jalex_819) February 22, 2025
“He’s like the kid who reminded the teacher to assign homework before class let out,” one tweet read.
“We have reached the point where i roll my eyes at anything this guy says.. him being a ‘hey, teach.. what about the homework you assigned’ a– MF is the latest example,” read another post with a similar sentiment.
“Man shut the f— up and show up in the playoffs. Focused on the wrong s—,” raged one apparent frustrated Yankees fan.
Heading into the 2025 MLB season, the New York Yankees have the second best odds to win the World Series with odds of +800, which trails only the Los Angeles Dodgers (overwhelming favorites to repeat as champions with odds of +275). Rounding out the top five betting favorites are the Atlanta Braves (+800), New York Mets (+1000) and Baltimore Orioles (+1200).