Yankees star reveals facial hair superstition taking over New York’s clubhouse

Billy Heyen

Yankees star reveals facial hair superstition taking over New York’s clubhouse image

The New York Yankees never had to worry about such superstitions in the past.

But after the Yanks altered their facial hair policy ahead of the 2025 season, they’ve got to contend with a key question: Can you shave if your team is on a roll?

Yankees catcher Austin Wells made his decision on the matter before the season with hitting coach Tanner Swanson.

Wells told The Athletic that he doesn’t shave unless the Yankees lose a series.

It’s been a while, with New York rattling off series wins in the last seven they’ve played.

The Yankees already guaranteed a series win in their current three-game set against the Angels by taking the first two. They haven’t dropped a series since playing the Rays in early May.

 

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Wells said his beard is actually helpful to catching. It allows his mask to “sit a little nicer on the chin.”

With the way the Yankees are playing, Wells might have that comfort level in his mask for a while.

There had been a nearly 50-year ban on such facial hair for the Yankees, but that was lifted before the season.

And now, many of New York’s players have embraced the new mojo. Carlos Rodon rocked a nice beard while tossing a gem on Tuesday night.

And baseball players will gladly embrace another chance to be superstitious. It’s what they do.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle