The New York Yankees’ facial hair coverage by no means mattered to Alex Rodriguez.
“I’ve by no means had a beard,” the former Yankee instructed NBC Native forward of 2025 MLB Opening Day whereas selling Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. “I’ve tried to develop a beard for 30 years, and I nonetheless can’t.”
However these in pinstripes who can develop one are actually permitted to, with the Yankees having lifted their long-standing ban on beards that restricted gamers from having any facial hair aside from a mustache.
“I used to be stunned,” Rodriguez stated. “It was wild pivot for the group, a rule that had been on there since 1973 when George Steinbrenner acquired the staff,” he stated. “Give them credit score, they’re fluid, they’re keen to vary, they’re not simply married to regardless of the previous was.”
However what would “The Boss” – Steinbrenner, who died in 2010 – have stated in regards to the staff’s change in coverage?
“Nicely, it possibly wouldn’t have occurred,” Rodriguez stated. “I’m undecided what he would have stated, however ‘The Boss’ was very sort of inflexible and strict. However give Hal [Steinbrenner] numerous credit score to have the ability to open issues up and assume in a extra progressive, up to date manner.”
The Yankees, sadly, misplaced extra than simply razors and shaving cream within the offseason. Juan Soto, after one season with the staff, signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the crosstown rival New York Mets. Gerrit Cole was misplaced for the season after it was decided he required Tommy John surgical procedure. Giancarlo Stanton and reigning American League Rookie of the 12 months Luis Gil are also anticipated to overlook important time as a consequence of damage.
“The Yankees, they’ve bumped into some powerful luck right here,” Rodriguez stated. “They’ve had a little bit of a combined offseason, clearly ups and downs, with dropping out on Juan Soto, however then they shortly pivot and deploy their assets actually, actually well.”
The Yankees signed beginning pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract and traded for former MVP Cody Bellinger.
“For them it’s simply play par golf, simply transfer on to dwell one other day,” Rodriguez stated. “Look to get wholesome and scorching on the proper time in the summertime, sort of main into the autumn, simply play actually, actually sturdy basic baseball. I believe one of many issues Brian Cashman did a very good job of is addressing a few of their liabilities, which sort of all got here collectively in that fifth inning of Sport 5 — which is a little bit of a scarcity of fundamentals, lack of concentrate on these particulars. I believe they’re actually significantly better off going into this yr, after which when the time is true, I’m positive they’ve the assets to exit and plug and play no matter they want on the deadline.”
They’ll should fill the void left by Soto, who signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. Rodriguez additionally modified groups as a marquee free agent on the top of his profession when he left the Seattle Mariners for the Texas Rangers in 2001 on the age of 25.
“What recommendation would I give him? I believe gradual and regular wins the race,” Rodriguez stated. “Don’t attempt to get all [15] years completed in a single at bat or one month. However I believe he is very well positioned. I believe he has excellent coaching. He’s been round a little bit bit, he’s already been a world champion, he is already been to a different World Collection, he performed in New York, he understands the media market, which is among the greatest and hardest challenges of New York, he is already completed that very, very nicely. So, take your time, be affected person and play the lengthy sport.”
What does he assume Soto noticed within the Mets that satisfied him to vary New York boroughs?
“I believe Alex and Steve Cohen are very compelling house owners,” Rodriguez stated. “They’ve a very massive imaginative and prescient, they’ve great assets, they’re avid, avid monumental Mets followers. They’ve been companions with the Mets now for over a decade. Often when Steve Cohen desires one thing, he will get it. And I’m positive he made a very sturdy compelling argument of why Juan Soto’s profession was higher with the Mets than the Yankees.”
Soto returns to Yankee Stadium for his first sport as a member of the Mets on Could 16.
“He is gonna get a Bronx response,” Rodriguez stated with a smile.
Two followers who interfered with play throughout the 2024 World Collection have been formally banned from MLB services and occasions.
However A-Rod didn’t choose both New York staff to succeed in the World Collection — predicting will probably be between the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles, who haven’t reached the Fall Traditional since 1983.
“The one factor I can’t sleep on is the Baltimore Orioles,” Rodriguez stated. “The Baltimore Orioles I believe can win 100 video games. In some ways, everyone seems to be speaking in regards to the Yankees and the Pink Sox, however I believe the Orioles have an opportunity to be the top of the category within the American League.”
Former MLB star Alex Rodriguez hit a half-court shot to win $10,000 for a Bucknell scholar at their sport vs. Military on Sunday.
