Someone should have told outfielder Alex Verdugo about the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner before he got traded to New York. Steinbrenner’s bought the team in 1973 and his family still owns the Yankees today. George died in 2010, but, his rules are still a part of the team and Alex Verdugo joins a long list of players who don’t like them.
New York Yankees Grooming History
A little history first: George Steinbrenner was a ‘my way or the highway’ kind of guy. When saw some of his players looking unkempt on the field in 1976 ‘The Boss’ told them all facial hair had to go and long hair had to be cut. Jewelry was also a no-no. Some good players had to conform to the rules, Jason Giambi, Randy Johnson, Johnny Damon, and even New York Yankees legend Don Mattingly.
New York Yankees: Drop the Chains Alex Verdugo
That brings us to 2024 and Alex Verdugo. Before he became part of the New York Yankees in December he had long hair, a long scraggly beard, and a lot of jewelry. Yankee rules allow only a neatly trimmed mustache, but no beards. When he first arrived manager Aaron Boone told him to lose the jewelry (only one chain is allowed). “It’s kind of been hard, man,” Verdugo said. “Because usually, I’m used to wearing like three of four.”
Alex Verdugo Has a Place Reserved in Baseball History
The one-chain, no-beard Verdugo has started slowly this season. Additionally, he’s played in all 11 games for The New York Yankees. He’s hitting just .211 but he has only struck out twice in 44 plate appearances. He was sent to the Yankees from The Boston Red Sox for three pitchers, Greg Weissert, Richard Fitts, and Nicholas Judice. Verdugo will be a free agent after this season. He has a spot saved in baseball history. He started his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and was part of the trade that sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles before the 2020 season. Verdugo looks to bring a championship home for the New York Yankees this year.
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Bradley Tachco is a career journalist. I spent 12+ years at CNN as a writer and producer. My sports: NHL, MLB, NFL. My goal: unique content. And my teams are the Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bills (yes, I’m a masochist), and the Los Angeles Dodgers. I have been a Dodgers fan since I was old enough to think. I have gone through decades of despair with all three franchises. You can follow Bradley at X @p09691.
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