Yankees' Devin Williams helped change team's facial hair policy by meeting with team owner Hal Steinbrenner

The big news from the New York Yankees' spring training as the team opened camp this week was the change in the organization's long-standing facial hair policy.

For the past 49 years, beards were not allowed among Yankees players. But team owner Hal Steinbrenner announced on Friday that "well-groomed beards" would now be permitted as the franchise evolves with the times.

New Yankees reliever Devin Williams reportedly instigated the policy change, meeting with Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman to discuss the team rule, according to The Athletic. Williams previously favored a full beard during his previous six major league seasons and reported to the Yankees' camp in Tampa with his facial hair still in place.

Williams reluctantly shaved when pitchers and catchers had their first workout, but had stubble on his face for team photos which signaled a new era. He told The Athletic that he intends to grow his beard back, and how long it gets will likely indicate the limits of the Yankees' adjusted policy.

Like Greg Vaughn did with the Cincinnati Reds 26 years ago, Williams appears to have sparked change and freed his teammates' faces.

Williams, 30, acknowledged that the facial hair policy would be a factor in deciding whether to re-sign with the Yankees. The All-Star reliever can be a free agent after the season and figures to be in demand with a career 1.83 ERA, a rate of 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings and 68 saves.

Steinbrenner acknowleged that the policy could become an obstacle with future player acquisitions among a generation which feels beards are "part of their character."

However, Yankees captain Aaron Judge doesn't intend to let his hair grow out.

Judge went on to explain that he told Steinbrenner keeping rules such as no hair below the collar in place was important to maintain discipline and a standard with the Yankees.