The Week That Was: February 17-23

Beards are back in the Bronx!

Joy! Happiness! Baseball is back! And while we are still in the “Spring Training games don’t count” portion of the season, it’s so delightful to see baseball happening! As a result of baseball being back, so is baseball news and there was quite a bit to go down last week, from some big changes by the Yankees ; an extension that fell apart for the Blue Jays; the first successful ball-strike challenge and so much more.

So, plenty to dive into today!

Free the Hair!

While this may not be the biggest news of the year, it does feel massive enough to earn its own news item. The Yankees, who have long been the stogey old fogies in terms of uniform and presentation rules, have finally changed their long-standing facial hair policy.

The Yankees have famously not allowed their players to have beards (mustaches were okay!), but the rule impacted several players who had to shave their beard when they joined the Bronx Bombers. But now the times are changing and the Yankees will allow “well-groomed” beards.

• The Yankees will also be making a change to the soundtrack of their games, specifically when “New York New York” is played .
• How does Brian Cashman define “well-groomed” in a beard?
• Hal Steinbrenner explains the one key thing that made him change the policy.
• A look at five former Yankees who had to shave their iconic beards to don the pinstripes.
• The funniest fan responses to the new policy.
• Some thoughts from Ken Rosenthal on the change.

Vlad Jr. Says “No Thanks!”

One of the most anticipated and expected extension offers this season was between the Toronto Blue Jays and the face of their franchise, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Vlad Jr was expected to receive an extension offer from the Jays, and indeed he did, but to the surprise of many, the Jays and Vlad Jr were unable to come to an agreement and the extension fell through.

This means unless the Jays and their superstar can come to terms this season, Vlad Jr. will become a free agent next fall and the Jays stand to lose one of their most important players (and much of the trust of their fanbase). This could, of course, be a situation like Gerrit Cole with the Yankees where the intention is for Vlad to stay where he his, but wanting to make sure he’s forcing his team to make him the best offer possible. Only time will tell, because the other much-discussed possibility is that the Jays will cut their losses early and trade Vladdy this season.

• How would it impact the Jays’ future if Vladdy signs elsewhere next season?
• 4 potential trade candidates if the Jays want to move Vladdy now .
• Despite his former negative comments about the Yankees, Guerrero has changed his tune saying he would consider signing with the team in free agency.

Quick Hits

• Can Justin Verlander get to 300 wins, and will he be the last?
• Bat flips are back, baby!
• Weird baseball is back with a base-clearing sac fly!
• Elly De La Cruz is still electric and fun!
• Have you ever wondered what deep, dark secrets clubhouse managers know? Wonder no more!
• Which MLB teams had the most demoralizing offseasons? (no none of them are the Tigers.)
• After a life-threatening incident, Dustin May has returned to the mound.
• The first successful ball-strike challenge has happened in Spring Training in a game between the Dodgers and Cubs.
• Roki Sasaki announced his marriage via his Instagram account.
• The Reds won’t participate in the ABS system, and Terry Francona explains why.
• Justin Ishbia, a billionaire who wanted to buy the Twins, has backed out of those efforts to increase his stake in the White Sox.
• The Yankees have signed Aaron Boone to contract extension through 2027.
• How did Netflix stars fare against MLB pitchers?
• Nolan Arenado might say yes to an Astros-Cardinals trade.
• Why MLB and ESPN have mutually decided to part ways.
• Anthony Rizzo just really wants to play baseball.
• A dark horse candidate for each team to make the Opening Day roster.
• From Harvard to the big leagues, how did Hunter Bigge get to where he is today?
• A look at how aiming pitches changes how they move.
• Which 9 teams made the biggest position upgrades this offseason?
• Which pitchers are changing up or adding to their pitching repertoire?
• Justin Turner is headed to the Cubs.

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