The New York Yankees are riding a wave of momentum, and it’s not just their seven straight series wins that have fans buzzing—it’s the beards. On Wednesday, they edged out the Los Angeles Angels 3-2, clinching another series victory and keeping their streak alive since that May 7 win over the San Diego Padres. But the real story? Devin Williams, the Yankees’ closer with a reputation for inconsistency this season, nearly blew it in the ninth, allowing two runs before slamming the door. Still, it was enough to secure the win, and it’s all part of a bearded brotherhood that’s become a superstition for the team.
Let’s talk about those beards. According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, catcher Austin Wells and his catching coach Tanner Swanson made a pact before Opening Day: no shaving until the Yankees lose a series. “Hopefully,” Wells said recently, “we don’t lose another series the rest of the year.” And so far, so good. Wells’ beard, along with those of Carlos Rodón and Jonathan Loaisiga, has become a symbol of the Yankees’ success. Rodón, sporting a full beard himself, threw seven shutout innings to set the tone, while Loaisiga’s goatee held firm in the eighth. Williams, despite his struggles, managed to keep his infamous facial hair intact in the ninth, barely hanging on to preserve the win.
This beard thing isn’t just a quirky trend—it’s a comfort zone for Wells. He told Kuty that the extra hair makes his catching mask sit “a little nicer on the chin,” which is no small thing when you’re framing pitches all game. It’s a small detail, but in a season where the Yankees are 34-20 and leading the AL East by seven games—the biggest division lead in baseball—every little edge counts. They’ve beaten some tough teams during this run, taking two of three from the Mets, Padres, and Mariners, and now they’re eyeing a sweep of the Angels before a World Series rematch with the Dodgers. Meanwhile, the Red Sox are floundering, making the Yankees’ dominance in the division look even sweeter.
But let’s not gloss over Wells’ contribution. His .272 on-base percentage might not jump off the page, ranking 12th on the team, but if he heats up, that beard could grow into something legendary as summer rolls in. The Yankees’ offense has been carrying them, with Anthony Volpe’s three-run double in the fourth inning Wednesday being a prime example. Aaron Judge, despite some recent struggles, remains a cornerstone, and the team’s depth is showing up in spades. Even with Giancarlo Stanton sidelined, the Yankees are finding ways to win, and Wells’ superstition is just another layer of their winning formula.
As for Williams, his season has been a rollercoaster. The 29-year-old right-hander, who came over from the Brewers, has a 4.50 ERA and has blown saves before, but Wednesday’s shaky ninth was a reminder of why the Yankees need him to figure it out. Still, his beard held, and so did the series win, keeping the streak alive and the superstition intact. The Yankees and Angels wrap up their series Wednesday night at 9:38 p.m. Eastern, and if Wells and his bearded crew keep this going, we might just see a summer where the Yankees’ facial hair becomes as famous as their pinstripes. For now, though, it’s all about riding the wave and hoping that beard luck doesn’t run out.
