You knew it was going to happen from the moment the news broke that Gerrit Cole was signing with the New York Yankees: the facial hair would have to go.
After all, that’s the policy the Pinstripes have had forever, and Cole — a Yankees fan when he was younger, growing up in California — wasn’t about to be the guy who breaks it.
Which means the ace now looks like a completely different person after he grew out his hair and put together an impressive beard while making a postseason run with the Houston Astros.
Here’s the before photo of what he looked like:
And after:
And some reaction:
RIP that glorious beard.
