CHASS: DAVID PRICE DOESN'T RESPECT OLD SCHOOL VALUES, MR. PRESIDENT.

December 22, 2015 - NEW YORK - To the surprise of no one the Yankees have landed the prize of the free agent market signing Cy Young winner David Price to a 7 year, $175 million contract. It's been a rough year for the Yankees with player/manager Derek Jeter's positive test for steroids, the pain of seeing Red Sox' DH Jesus Montero become the first player to hit a fair ball out of any Yankee Stadium and the disappointing 80-82 finish. "Adding David gives us the anchor to the rotation we've missed since C.C. Sabathia disappeared into the Springfield Mystery Spot" said GM Brian Cashman.

When asked about his iconic beard Price said "it's a $175 million you moron! You honestly think I liked my beard that much? Stop smoking crack." Price was 21-4 with a 2.11 ERA for the Central Florida Rays who had hoped their recent stadium improvements would enable them to keep the lefty.

In Boston local t-shirt vendors have created shirts emblazoned with a picture of Price's beard and the words "David At Any Price" to mock the southpaw.

"No big whoop. I'll just sign a 12-year, $800 million deal with the Dodgers."

I've always wondered what would happen if a player was traded to the Yankees and refused to conform to their stupid grooming rules.

Oh, and Price rocks. So does Joe Maddon. And the whole freaking team.

In the history of the game, I know of only one player who refused to join a team over facial hair. That was Rollie Fingers, who was offered a contract at the end of his career by the Reds, who allowed neither mustaches or beards. Fingers said that he couldn't shave the mustache, so he called it quits.

I see Jose has this one covered nicely.

Facial hair policies are the new "good schools."

The Reds ended their facial hair policy when they acquired Greg Vaughn. I'm not privy to how much Vaughn had to do with it, but Larkin seemed to enjoy letting his freak flag fly.

Even if he's bullshitting, it still makes me happy. The young fascists of America grooming thing is so stupid.

That was Rollie Fingers, who was offered a contract at the end of his career by the Reds, who allowed neither mustaches or beards.

Hypocrites.

. . . more reasons to be mad about coming to the ballpark because you have to wear slacks and a collared shirt in 100-degree weather.

Sounds rough. Especially the Bataan Death March type 30-second stroll from his air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned stadium.

For all he says the Rays treat their players like grownups, they have more themed dressup days than a junior high school Spirit Week.

mad about coming to the ballpark because you have to wear slacks

Smitty*, is that you?

Sounds rough. Especially the Bataan Death March type 30-second stroll from his air-conditioned car to the air-conditioned stadium.

Be that as it may or not be that, the rules are dopey beyond reason. Honestly, there's no rational reason for them unless it's just about showing those smart-ass players who's boss.

As I shared with you before, Giants Phoenix AAA manager had only three rules that he gave us before the season:

1. If you are hung over or sunburned and can't play, you lose a day's pay.
2. I do not ever want a hotel detective to knock on my door and wake me up in the middle of the night becuase of soemthing you did.
3. If the big feller is dripping, you have the clap, so see the trainer (Harry Jordan) as soon as you can.

No facial hair, but constant spitting and drooling is ok. Baseball players are traditionally gross.

No facial hair, but constant spitting and drooling is ok. Baseball players are traditionally gross.

Well, at least the tobbaco juice wont get caught in their beards.

1. If you are hung over or sunburned and can't play, you lose a day's pay.

What the hell were guys doing that they were so sunburned they couldn't play? Was this a big problem at some point?

"Well, Mr. Cashman, I'll offer you this deal -- $1,000 per year for every hair on my face OR Felix Hernandez's contract?"

What the hell were guys doing that they were so sunburned they couldn't play? Was this a big problem at some point?

It was for Marty Cordova.

Hey, let's wear shirts and ties on the field too. That would make a good impression.

The Reds ended their facial hair policy when they acquired Greg Vaughn.

I still remember being psyched when Jeff Reardon went to the Reds.

What the hell were guys doing that they were so sunburned they couldn't play?

It's Phoenix. I'd imagine you spend a day sitting out by the pool without your shirt on and you'll be a lobster.

the rules are dopey beyond reason

Eh, I don't get the ire. So what? They make you shave facial hair and request that you don't look like a gangsta when you arrive at the park. Big effing deal. Personally, it's not for me, but hey if you want to play for NY, those are the rules. If they believe having some parameters in place that help develop some cohesion amongst the players, then so be it. BTW, NOT a NY fan.

Eh, I don't get the ire. So what? They make you shave facial hair and request that you don't look like a gangsta when you arrive at the park. Big effing deal. Personally, it's not for me, but hey if you want to play for NY, those are the rules. If they believe having some parameters in place that help develop some cohesion amongst the players, then so be it. BTW, NOT a NY fan.

If you sign there as a FA, sure. But MLB is set up so that players don't always get to chose where they play.

If you sign there as a FA, sure. But MLB is set up so that players don't always get to chose where they play.

There are certainly issues about the draft system, but the minimal dress code for team events and travel is pretty low on the list.

It was for Marty Cordova.

Heh.

Honestly, there's no rational reason for them unless it's just about showing those smart-ass players who's boss.

Was there every any doubt about this?

The previous owner was a felon who committed the wrong kind of no- fun-felony he deserved to get caught at, but mustaches are out? What a world.

How about being required to have a beard: House of David.

"the Reds, who allowed neither mustaches or beards."

Catcher Dann Bilardello: "We were lucky they let us have eyebrows."

good times

Maybe standardized facial hair could be acceptable.

Yet another reason facial hair policies are awful: They would rob us of great moments like this.

request that you don't look like a gangsta

Suits are one of the classic "gangsta" looks.

It's Phoenix. I'd imagine you spend a day sitting out by the pool without your shirt on and you'll be a lobster.

Yep. Only time in my life I ever experienced sun stroke was after sitting beside the ASU pool for, I guess, a couple of hours right after moving out there in August.

Suits are one of the classic "gangsta" looks.

I'd bet that the first Hollywood movie that depicted an adult gangster without a coat and tie was probably not until the early 1970's. I guess they all wanted to be properly dressed for their funerals just in case they never made it back from the office.

Nowadays, they dress like PLO detainees being swapped for a hostage(s).

Principle? What principle? Mr. Price has changed his tune:

While many interpreted Price's comments as him saying he would never play for the Yankees, the star lefty made it clear that isn't the case.

"I can't rule out anybody because, obviously, what they do for the game of baseball is just tremendous," Price said.

Oh no, I don't think you're doing Mr. Price's recantation proper justice there:

“It probably wasn’t the best thing to say, but I didn’t mean anything by it … I wasn’t looking to offend the Yankees. It’s probably the best organization in all of sports. Not just baseball, but all of sports. I didn’t mean anything (against) the New York Yankees.

"

“It probably wasn’t the best thing to say, but I didn’t mean anything by it … I wasn’t looking to offend the Yankees. It’s probably the best organization in all of sports. Not just baseball, but all of sports. I didn’t mean anything (against) the New York Yankees.

What he really meant was.."It wasn't the best thing to say because when I am a free agent I need NY to help drive up the bidding for my services to ridiculous amounts. I won't play there anyway, but they will serve their purpose by inflating my price by 20-25%."

39-yep.

(I can logroll with the best of them ;-))

Nah, if he were doing that, he'd have said..."the Yankees blow. The Dodgers don't have a facial-hair policy, and look at the players THEY can sign."