Former Yankee Don Mattingly striking out during a game on Sept. 20, 1995. New York Post Bernie Willams, Don Mattingly, and Tino Martinez pose for a photo on the field before the game.

After nearly 50 years of oppressive appearance guidelines, the New York Yankees have finally loosened their ban on facial hair — Don Mattingly, let those side burns flow freely. Earlier today ...

The irony of Mattingly’s history with the rule made his reaction even more fitting. The Yankees’ facial hair rule, which had been in place for nearly five decades, required players to be clean ...