The New York Yankees have officially ended their long-standing rule against beards, a policy that was first put in place by former owner George Steinbrenner almost 50 years ago. Current owner Hal Steinbrenner announced this decision as a way to help the team recruit new players while they aim to win their first World Series title since 2009. Hal called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable,” showing how attitudes about personal grooming for athletes have changed over time.

During a press conference, Hal Steinbrenner talked about how important beards are for many young men today, saying they are a big part of their identity. He admitted that he doesn’t really connect with this trend since he has never had a beard himself, but he understands how much it means to younger players. This change is meant to help the team relate better to modern athletes and support their self-expression, which is becoming more important in today’s world.

The original rule against beards and long hair was created in 1976 to encourage players to look disciplined. While players followed the rule, some found ways to bend it, like staying unshaven or letting their hair grow past their collars. Hal Steinbrenner mentioned that his father’s military background influenced this strict rule, but he also knows that winning games is the most important thing for the team.

Hal Steinbrenner had been thinking about changing the beard policy for about ten years and had talked with key players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. He announced that the team would now allow well-groomed beards, which is a big cultural change for the Yankees. General manager Brian Cashman pointed out that the old rule had made it harder to recruit players, as some were unsure about joining the team because of the grooming policy. The Yankees’ decision to lift the beard ban shows how they are adapting to modern times while still aiming for success on the field.

Original news source: New York Yankees drop ban on beards, 49 years after it was imposed by owner George Steinbrenner (AP News)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: In groups, students take turns acting out different scenarios related to the article without speaking, such as “announcing a policy change” or “a player getting a beard.” The rest of the class guesses what they are acting out.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Pose the question, “Do you think sports teams should allow players to express themselves through personal grooming?” Students will walk around the classroom and ask their classmates for their opinions, then report back to the class on the different viewpoints they’ve gathered.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to create catchy headlines for the article. They should brainstorm creative and engaging titles that summarize the main points of the article and present them to the class.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: As a class, create a mind map on the board about the topic of personal grooming in sports. Students will contribute ideas based on the article and their own knowledge, branching out to include related themes like identity, self-expression, and cultural changes.

– SYNONYM CHALLENGE
Instructions: Provide students with key vocabulary from the article, such as “outdated,” “policy,” and “self-expression.” In pairs, they will come up with synonyms for each word and share them with the class, discussing any differences in nuance or usage.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who was the former owner of the New York Yankees that first implemented the beard policy?
2. Why did Hal Steinbrenner decide to change the beard rule for the team?
3. How did Hal Steinbrenner describe the old ban on beards?
4. What does Hal Steinbrenner say about the significance of beards for young men today?
5. What was the original purpose of the rule against beards and long hair when it was created in 1976?
6. How did some players find ways to work around the beard and hair policy?
7. Who did Hal Steinbrenner consult with before making the decision to lift the beard ban?
8. What impact did the old grooming policy have on the Yankees’ ability to recruit new players?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The New York Yankees have officially ended their long-standing rule against beards, a (1)______ that was first put in (2)______ by former (3)______ (4)______ Steinbrenner almost 50 years ago. Current owner Hal Steinbrenner announced this decision as a way to help the team recruit new players while they aim to win their first World Series title since 2009. Hal called the ban “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable,” showing how attitudes about personal grooming for athletes have changed over time.

During a press conference, Hal Steinbrenner talked about how important beards are for many young men today, saying they are a big part of their (5)______. He admitted that he doesn’t really connect with this trend since he has never had a beard himself, but he understands how much it means to younger players. This (6)______ is (7)______ to help the team relate better to (8)______ athletes and support their self-expression, which is becoming more important in today’s world.

The original rule against beards and long hair was created in 1976 to encourage (9)______ to look disciplined. While players followed the rule, some found ways to bend it, like staying (10)______ or letting their hair grow past their collars. Hal Steinbrenner mentioned that his father’s military (11)______ influenced this strict rule, but he also knows that winning games is the most important thing for the team.

Hal Steinbrenner had been thinking about changing the beard policy for about ten (12)______ and had (13)______ with key players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. He announced that the team would now allow well-groomed (14)______, which is a big cultural change for the (15)______. General manager Brian Cashman pointed out that the old rule had made it harder to recruit players, as some were unsure about joining the team because of the grooming policy. The Yankees’ decision to lift the beard ban shows how they are adapting to modern (16)______ while still aiming for success on the field.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on sports teams having strict grooming policies?
2. How would you feel if your school had a rule about hairstyles or facial hair?
3. Do you think it’s important for athletes to express their personal style? Why or why not?
4. What is a trend in fashion or grooming that you think is important for young people today?
5. How do you feel about the idea that beards can be a part of someone’s identity?
6. Do you like the idea of changing rules to fit modern values? Why or why not?
7. What is a rule in your life that you think should be changed?
8. How would you react if a team you supported changed a long-standing rule?
9. Do you think that allowing beards will help the Yankees win more games? Why or why not?
10. What is your experience with rules that you think are outdated?
11. How important do you think it is for teams to connect with their players on a personal level?
12. Do you think people should follow strict dress codes in sports? Why or why not?
13. What is a way that you express your individuality in your daily life?
14. How would you feel if a famous athlete you admire had to change their appearance because of a rule?
15. Do you think that changing rules like this can help a team attract better players? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. officially
2. recruit
3. outdated
4. attitudes
5. grooming
6. identity
7. self-expression
8. disciplined
9. bend
10. military
11. influenced
12. cultural
13. general manager
14. recruit
15. adapting

Meanings:
(A) In a way that is formally recognized or authorized
(B) No longer useful or in style; old-fashioned
(C) Showing self-control and following rules
(D) To change something slightly to make it work
(E) A person who is in charge of the operations of a sports team
(F) The qualities or beliefs that make a person who they are
(G) The act of taking care of one’s appearance
(H) Having an effect on someone or something
(I) Related to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society
(J) Showing one’s thoughts or feelings through actions or appearance
(K) Changing to fit new conditions or environments
(L) To find and bring in new people to join a group or team
(M) Related to the armed forces, like the army or navy
(N) Opinions or feelings about something
(O) To find and bring in new people to join a group or team
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who was the former owner of the New York Yankees that implemented the beard policy?
(a) Hal Steinbrenner
(b) Brian Cashman
(c) Aaron Judge
(d) George Steinbrenner

2. How long had the beard policy been in place before it was lifted?
(a) 30 years
(b) Almost 50 years
(c) 10 years
(d) 20 years

3. What reason did Hal Steinbrenner give for changing the beard policy?
(a) To honor his father’s military background
(b) To maintain team discipline
(c) To help recruit new players
(d) To follow other teams’ practices

4. What did Hal Steinbrenner say about beards in relation to young men today?
(a) They should be avoided for discipline
(b) They are not important at all
(c) They are only a fashion statement
(d) They are a big part of their identity

5. When was the original rule against beards and long hair created?
(a) 1980
(b) 1976
(c) 1990
(d) 2000

6. Who did Hal Steinbrenner consult about the beard policy change?
(a) Other team owners
(b) Fans of the team
(c) Key players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton
(d) Coaches and trainers

7. What did general manager Brian Cashman say about the old grooming policy?
(a) It made it harder to recruit players
(b) It was widely accepted by all players
(c) It helped the team win more games
(d) It was never enforced

8. What does the lifting of the beard ban signify for the New York Yankees?
(a) A cultural change and adaptation to modern times
(b) A return to traditional values
(c) An increase in team discipline
(d) A focus solely on winning games

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The original rule against beards was created to promote a disciplined appearance among players.
2. Hal Steinbrenner has been considering changing the beard policy for about ten years.
3. The New York Yankees have lifted their long-standing ban on beards.
4. The Yankees’ decision to prohibit beards reflects a shift towards limiting player self-expression.
5. This rule was originally put in place by former owner George Steinbrenner nearly 50 years ago.
6. Current owner Hal Steinbrenner believes the beard ban is modern and reasonable.
7. Some players found ways to comply with the beard policy, like staying unshaven.
8. Hal Steinbrenner thinks allowing beards will harm the team attract new players.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. Why did the New York Yankees decide to change their rule about beards?
2. How did Hal Steinbrenner feel about the trend of young men wearing beards?
3. What was the original purpose of the Yankees’ beard policy when it was created in 1976?
4. How did the old beard rule affect the team’s ability to recruit new players?
5. What does the change in the beard policy say about the Yankees’ attitude towards modern athletes?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Who was the former owner of the New York Yankees that first implemented the beard policy?
George Steinbrenner.

2. Why did Hal Steinbrenner decide to change the beard rule for the team?
He wanted to help the team recruit new players and adapt to modern attitudes about personal grooming.

3. How did Hal Steinbrenner describe the old ban on beards?
He called it “outdated” and “somewhat unreasonable.”

4. What does Hal Steinbrenner say about the significance of beards for young men today?
He mentioned that beards are a big part of their identity and self-expression.

5. What was the original purpose of the rule against beards and long hair when it was created in 1976?
The rule was meant to encourage players to look disciplined.

6. How did some players find ways to work around the beard and hair policy?
Some players stayed unshaven or let their hair grow past their collars.

7. Who did Hal Steinbrenner consult with before making the decision to lift the beard ban?
He talked with key players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

8. What impact did the old grooming policy have on the Yankees’ ability to recruit new players?
It made it harder to recruit players, as some were unsure about joining the team because of the grooming policy.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) policy
(2) place
(3) owner
(4) George
(5) identity
(6) change
(7) meant
(8) modern
(9) players
(10) unshaven
(11) background
(12) years
(13) talked
(14) beards
(15) Yankees
(16) times
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. officially
Answer: (A) In a way that is formally recognized or authorized

2. recruit
Answer: (L) To find and bring in new people to join a group or team

3. outdated
Answer: (B) No longer useful or in style; old-fashioned

4. attitudes
Answer: (N) Opinions or feelings about something

5. grooming
Answer: (G) The act of taking care of one’s appearance

6. identity
Answer: (F) The qualities or beliefs that make a person who they are

7. self-expression
Answer: (J) Showing one’s thoughts or feelings through actions or appearance

8. disciplined
Answer: (C) Showing self-control and following rules

9. bend
Answer: (D) To change something slightly to make it work

10. military
Answer: (M) Related to the armed forces, like the army or navy

11. influenced
Answer: (H) Having an effect on someone or something

12. cultural
Answer: (I) Related to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of a society

13. general manager
Answer: (E) A person who is in charge of the operations of a sports team

14. recruit
Answer: (L) To find and bring in new people to join a group or team

15. adapting
Answer: (K) Changing to fit new conditions or environments
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who was the former owner of the New York Yankees that implemented the beard policy?
Answer: (d) George Steinbrenner

2. How long had the beard policy been in place before it was lifted?
Answer: (b) Almost 50 years

3. What reason did Hal Steinbrenner give for changing the beard policy?
Answer: (c) To help recruit new players

4. What did Hal Steinbrenner say about beards in relation to young men today?
Answer: (d) They are a big part of their identity

5. When was the original rule against beards and long hair created?
Answer: (b) 1976

6. Who did Hal Steinbrenner consult about the beard policy change?
Answer: (c) Key players like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton

7. What did general manager Brian Cashman say about the old grooming policy?
Answer: (a) It made it harder to recruit players

8. What does the lifting of the beard ban signify for the New York Yankees?
Answer: (a) A cultural change and adaptation to modern times
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The original rule against beards was created to promote a disciplined appearance among players. (Answer: True)
2. Hal Steinbrenner has been considering changing the beard policy for about ten years. (Answer: True)
3. The New York Yankees have lifted their long-standing ban on beards. (Answer: True)
4. The Yankees’ decision to prohibit beards reflects a shift towards limiting player self-expression. (Answer: False)
5. This rule was originally put in place by former owner George Steinbrenner nearly 50 years ago. (Answer: True)
6. Current owner Hal Steinbrenner believes the beard ban is modern and reasonable. (Answer: False)
7. Some players found ways to comply with the beard policy, like staying unshaven. (Answer: False)
8. Hal Steinbrenner thinks allowing beards will harm the team attract new players. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧