The Pirates have had a facial hair policy for their minor league teams since 2008
BRADENTON, Fla. — Last summer, when A.J. Schugel was called up to the majors, he started to grow a beard. Facial hair is a privilege Pirates’ big leaguers have that their minor league counterparts don’t, and Schugel decided to let it fly.
By the time he arrived at spring training, his beard had grown to an epic length — fiery red and bushy, like a lion’s mane. He’s described the feedback as 75 percent positive, 25 percent negative, with catcher Francisco Cervelli, who probably has to look at him more than most, among the critics.