Yankees make another huge organizational change as outside pressure mounted

On Friday, the New York Yankees shifted course after over 50 years and altered their longstanding facial hair policy that only permitted players to grow mustaches. Now, they can maintain "well-groomed" beards. Lifting the ban has been talked about for years, and fans have recently gotten louder and louder about it.

In another move after seemingly being influenced by outside pressure, the Yankees will no longer play "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra after losses. This was another topic of discussion among fans who were upset to hear the trademark song associated with so many special victories also being blared over the stadium speakers after embarrassing losses to ... what? Appease tourists? We really don't know why it was like this.

But on Sunday evening, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reported the Yankees will rotate a selection of songs after losses and save "New York, New York" exclusively for wins. After Sunday's loss to the Tigers, Frank Sinatra's "That's Life" played at George M. Steinbrenner Field. That's more like it.

These decisions always feel like they come too late and/or after a supremely embarrassing moment, but fans can't complain about what should be viewed as progress with a famously "traditional" organization that's gotten stuck in their ways despite not following through with winning.

We can imagine the final straw for "New York, New York" was when everybody had to hear the famous song after the Yankees' embarrassing loss in Game 5 of the World Series, when the Los Angeles Dodgers were celebrating on the Yankee Stadium field.

Yankees News: Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" won't be played after losses

This was another longstanding tradition that was nixed in a matter of days. Per The Athletic, the Yankees had played "New York, New York" after every home game, regardless of the result, since 1980. The facial hair policy was instituted back in 1973.

Unlike the facial hair policy, fans were fairly united on the "New York, New York" front because of the shared experiences at the stadium. Though the facial hair policy was certainly outdated, it was at least more so associated with the team's identity in some way. It represented discipline and unity, whether or not it was the right way to go about it.

As for "New York, New York"? It started to represent nothing, especially as the Yankees endured a 14-year AL Pennant drought. They snapped that in 2024, but then exited the Fall Classic stage right in one of the most brutal ways imaginable. Fans needed a new way for wins to be signified and celebrated, and this popular decision will do just that.