David Price: Sign With Yankees? No Thanks, I'd Rather Keep My Beard
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If Tampa Bay Rays ace David Price was on your wish list, well, keep on dreaming.
Price told FOXSports.com on Tuesday that if he were traded to the Yankees, he wouldn't consider a lengthy extension because of the team's strict rules regarding facial hair.
"I wouldn't stay there very long then," said Price, who wears a closely cropped beard. "I wouldn't sign a long-term deal there."
The Yankees have had a long list of players with mustaches, ranging from greats (Don Mattingly, Reggie Jackson) to utility guys (Sal Fasano). Because whiskers aren't allowed to dip below the lip, new additions like fan favorite Johnny Damon have been forced to shave their trademark beards.
"Those rules, that's old-school baseball," said Price. "I was born in '85. That's not for me. That's not something I want to be a part of."
MORE: Top 10 mustaches in baseball history
Price isn't due to become a free agent until 2016, though there has been speculation the Rays could cash in on baseball's pitching market and trade the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.
The 27-year-old acknowledged "this could be my last year here — or half-year, whatever it is," and said he's "not taking a discount" from Tampa Bay.
"I don't play this game for the money, but I don't want to be underappreciated," Price told FOXSports.com. "What I've done for this organization so far, I feel like I've helped this organization a great deal. So if they want to show me some appreciation, then fine.
"They know I would love to be here. They know that. Everybody here knows that. If we can make that happen then we will. If not, then I'll do it the other way."
Yankees fans, what's your response? Think Price would change his tune if the price was right? Be heard in the comments...
