The Marlins have a strict grooming policy, but they don't have a problem with that monstrosity in the outfield. Interesting.

I wonder what would happen if a player told one of these teams with strict grooming policies to #### off. Like if Reyes had said pre-contract "sure, I'll sign with you, but I'm not cutting my hair" or the Yankees traded for somebody and they refused to comply.

I wonder what would happen if a player told one of these teams with strict grooming policies to #### off. Like if Reyes had said pre-contract "sure, I'll sign with you, but I'm not cutting my hair" or the Yankees traded for somebody and they refused to comply.

I think the player would lose, because he has signed away his right to dispute club rules. The Uniform Player Contract has a "Loyalty" clause, in which "the Player agrees... to obey the Club's training rules." There is also a "Baseball Promotion" clause which stipulates that the player shall "observe and comply with all reasonable requirements of the Club respecting conduct and service of its team and its players, at all times whether on or off the field." The player could argue that grooming has nothing to do with training or promotional activities, but I doubt that he'd win that argument with the people who matter (i.e. -- the Commissioner's office and/or arbitrators).

Good for him.

I think the player would lose,

I think the two cases Jim poses are actually pretty different. If the guy is traded, he's hosed. But if he makes it a condition of signing as a FA, then he hasn't really "signed away his right to dispute club rules." He's bargained for a specific exception to a club rule. At that point, of course, the team has a clubhouse problem with other players when it tries to enforce the rule, but that's another issue. The team could try to explain that the new guy being able to have dreadlocks is no different (in principle) than the fact that he's also making 20x what the second-year player is: he just had bargaining power as a FA to get something from the team. But I doubt that would fly when it comes to consistent enforcement of team rules; in practice, they'd have to make the exception the rule.

if he makes it a condition of signing as a FA, then he hasn't really "signed away his right to dispute club rules." He's bargained for a specific exception to a club rule.

Good point, assuming that the player found a club willing to bargain away those clauses and MLB would allow it.

Didn't Randy Johnson get a keep-his-mustache clause with the Yankees?

Oh, I know that legally the player is required by his contract to comply with the rules including dumb grooming policies. It's actually the trade situation that interests me more though since with a free agent signing the player has a choice in whether or not to sign with the team. What if the Yankees trade for a player mid-season to help with a playoff push and he refuses to cut his hair? They could fine him I'm sure, or maybe not pay him, but maybe the player would figure it's worth it to keep his hair the way he wants it. I'd just love to see a player stick it to one of these teams that enforce these policies by holding out and forcing a situation where they either have to trade him again, let him play while going against the policy, or look like idiots giving up talent for a player who is doing nothing to help the team because they're refusing to let him step on the field with long hair.

The Yankees allow mustaches but not beards.

Indeed. Giambi had a stache too. Martin this past year.

The Yankees allow mustaches.

And sideburns.

Here's the Reyes ebay link. 21 bids, $4400 so far.

The Marlins have a strict grooming policy, but they don't have a problem with that monstrosity in the outfield. Interesting.

You've obviously never been to a gay bar. :-)

Here's the Reyes ebay link. 21 bids, $4400 so far.

Good for Reyes but us humans are weird critters. "Would you like to donate $100 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation?" "Sorry, can't." "What if I throw in a lock of Jose Reyes' hair?" "Here's your check."

us humans are weird critters. "Would you like to donate $100 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation?" "Sorry, can't." "What if I throw in a lock of Jose Reyes' hair?" "Here's your check."

No, you've obviously never been to a gay bar.

Here's the Reyes ebay link. 21 bids, $4400 so far.

Up to $4550 now. With free expedited shipping, that's a bargain. Of course, there's four days to go.

Anyway, why sell it all in one lot? Couldn't you raise a lot more money selling one lock at a time?

Buying some dude's dreadlock = disgusting

I'd just love to see a player stick it to one of these teams that enforce these policies by holding out and forcing a situation where they either have to trade him again, let him play while going against the policy, or look like idiots giving up talent for a player who is doing nothing to help the team because they're refusing to let him step on the field with long hair.

Likewise. Hair length policies = stupid.

The Yankees allow mustaches but not beards.

Yes. This makes a great deal of sense.

Not coincidentally, that was also Willie Randolph's policy.

The Yankees allow mustaches but not beards.

Unfortunately for Brian Cashman :)

No wonder the Disfunctionals chased him out of town. Charity? When there are life savings to fleece? Hooray for Reyes. I hope he gets in the top 5 in MVP votes. Behind Cedeno, Tejada, Nickeas and Duda, of course. THEY wouldn't leave a meaningless game in the 1st inning!

How about getting them shorn so you won't look like some kinda schmucky Predator?

No, you've obviously never been to a gay bar.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I don't have anything to add to this other than after watching the segment on Hot Stove, Reyes seems like a genuinely down to earth guy.