Gerrit Cole Shaved His Beard For His Yankees Press Conference, Looks Like A Totally Different Guy

Ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole made his first official appearance for the New York Yankees on Wednesday after signing with the team for a record-setting $324 million.

After saying that he would indeed be shaving his trademark beard due to the Yankees’ odd policy of no facial hair, Cole showed up to his introductory press conference with his wife, Amy, the sister of San Francisco shortstop Brandon Crawford, clean-shaven and looking like a new man.

Before…

Embed from Getty Images
 

After…

Embed from Getty Images
 

For $324 million, I’d shave my whole body and every member of my family’s body.

During the press conference, Cole said he chose the Yankees because, “It was my dream. I had a second opportunity to chase it.”

He also added that he “experienced razor burn now for the first time in the last 10 years,” referring to having to shave his beard.

Cole will continue to wear number 45, the number first baseman Luke Voit had been wearing on his jersey. Voit tweeted that he was changing to number 59 in honor of his brother, who wore the number when he played football at West Point.