New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo (27) has shaved off his ‘red beard’ in accordance with team rules.
“Verdugo complied with the Yankees’ no-beard rule and shaved off his red beard two months before spring training,” ESPN reported on March 22.
The Yankees acquired Verdugo in a three-for-three trade with the rival Boston Red Sox. Right-handed pitchers Richard Pettitte, Greg Weissert, and Nicolas Judge became Yankees in exchange for Verdugo.
The Yankees, in need of outfield reinforcements, acquired Verdugo at the cost of bleeding pitching prospects. Verdugo made his big league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017. He spent three seasons with the Dodgers and four with Boston until this year.
In seven seasons and 651 games, Verdugo has batted .2327/.654 with 57 home runs, 255 RBIs, a .337 on-base percentage, a .428 slugging percentage, and a .765 OPS. In 142 games, he’s 2-for-6 with 144 doubles, 13 homers, 54 RBIs and a .745 OPS.
ESPN reported, “Verdugo showed off his shaved head and said, ‘My mom loves it.’ ‘My mom thinks I’m back in high school,’ he said.”
The Yankees have a policy on appearance.
Players are not allowed to wear facial hair other than a well-groomed mustache, and long sideburns and long hair are prohibited. This rule was established by former owner George Steinbrenner and has been in place since 1976.
If a player used to have a long beard, they must shave it clean and wear a uniform. 온라인카지노 Newcomer Verdugo was no exception.
“It bothered me a little bit. “It was the biggest thing coming to the Yankees, you have to be clean-shaven,” he says. “I haven’t been clean-shaven since high school. I don’t know how I’m going to look without a beard. I want to cut it off, and I want to see what it feels like. I also want to see how my skin will react to having to shave constantly.”
Still feeling awkward, he says, “It feels like a fresh start. I feel like a kid again.”