Gone Today, Hair Tomorrow (Yankees Allow Beards)

("Chin Music- Leviticus Bros", The Talk of the Town, March 10, 2025)

Mr. Helfand's piece brought back a stream of memories for me. I have bled Yankee pinstripes since the 1950's. From the crew cuts of Hank Bauer, Moose Skowron and Roger Maris to the moustaches of Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage. I have seen players like Oscar Gamble and Johnny Damon shear their remarkable locks on arrival in the Bronx in compliance with the dictates of the Boss. (In fact, the Yankees paid Gamble $5000 to compensate him for breaking a deal with a hair product company)

Mr. Steinbrenner initiated his hair today gone tomorrow policy in 1976. Coincidence or not, in 1977 and 1978 the team won the World Series, after a hiatus of 15 years, the longest dry spell since Mr. Ruth and company won their first championship in 1923.

It has now been 16 years since the last ticker tape parade for the Bombers. Maybe, in 2025, Samson does need his hair to win. Gone today, hair tomorrow.

Of course a 100 MPH fastballer or two couldn't hurt.