Pitcher appears radically different since joining Yankees

The New York Yankees’ long-standing appearance policy has transformed yet another athlete.

Relief pitcher Phil Bickford signed a minor league contract with the Yankees in April. You may recognize the right-hander from his past tenure with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee Brewers, which included long, flowing locks and facial hair.

Bickford was upgraded to the Yankees’ active roster last week and made his debut in pinstripes on Friday. He is now as clean-cut as they get.

wat yankees does to a mf pic.twitter.com/1OXlHIhyT9

— chris kreider respecter (@jonmoxIeys) June 23, 2024

The Yankees’ appearance policy, imposed by the late George Steinbrenner, has been in effect for nearly 50 years. It forbids players from wearing any facial hair other than mustaches. In addition, the team prohibits the growth of head hair below the collar.

Bickford could have retained his mustache, but he elected to get rid of it completely. The 28-year-old is far from the first athlete to change his image after joining baseball’s most renowned organization.