The New York Yankees dropped their ban on beards Friday, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner, in a move aimed to improve player recruitment as the team tries to win its first World Series title since 2009. Current owner Hal Steinbrenner, son of The Boss, announced the change Friday before the team's spring training opener. He called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.” “This generation, the vast majority of 20, 30s-into-the-40s men in this country have beards,” Steinbrenner said during a news conference, flanked by general manager Brian Cashman. “It is a part of who these younger men are. It’s part of their character. It’s part of their persona. Do I totally relate to that? It’s difficult for me. I’m an older guy who’s never had a beard in his life but it’s a very important thing to them. They feel it defines their character.” MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/nation-world/new-york-yankees-drop-ban-beards-49-years-owner-george-steinbrenner/507-dc396f74-eac1-4ed6-aa7f-89921486aa5e