The New York Yankees have dropped their ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner.

Austin Wells, Gerrit Cole, Gleyber Torres and more all weighed in on the surprising change to a longstanding Yankee tradition.

For the first time in nearly 50 years, the Yankees will allow their players and uniformed staff to grow beards – so long as they are “well-groomed” – as Hal Steinbrenner on Friday announced modifications to the organization’s facial hair policy that had been instituted by his father, George, in 1976.

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole recently shared details about the team's grooming policy, emphasizing that players should avoid excessive facial

Recognizable for his long hair, beard and mustache while helping the Boston Red Sox win the 2004 World Series, Damon looked like a different person with the Yankees from 2006-08.

Catcher Austin Wells provided some insight Friday into his feelings on the New York Yankees' facial hair policy now that it has been relaxed. Speaking to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Wells suggested that he used to trick himself into thinking adhering to the facial hair policy was an honor of sorts: "My initial reaction is I feel weird.