A long-haired bat boy infuriated New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay in Cleveland on Monday for failing to adhere to the 47-year-old club’s personal care policy.
“It’s weird to see a Yankee uniform, someone wearing that uniform with that kind of hair,” Kay mused in the seventh inning of Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Guardians. “If players are not allowed, I don’t know if the bat boy should be allowed.”
Kay’s problem was that the batboy’s long blonde locks and patchy facial hair didn’t match the Yankees’ clean-cut aesthetic — a standard that late owner George Steinbrenner applied when he bought the team in 1976.
“There are rules,” Kai said. Rules are rules. He disobeys two of them. I think there is facial hair and obviously hair under the collar.
But while the boy bat did not follow Yankee rules, he was not required to do so because he is not a franchise employee. Instead, since teams don’t travel with bat boys, he actually works with the Guardians as a host at the visiting club. In any event, he agreed to a compromise for Tuesday’s game.
Guardians visiting Nathan Rosenhaus tuck his hair into his helmet
The long-haired bat boy has infuriated New York Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay
“They made him put his hair under the helmet,” Kay said Tuesday as the Yankees beat Cleveland 11-2. “His name is Nate, he’s in a band, he’s a drummer—Open Doors is the name of the band—and he found all the buzz from social media kind of funny yesterday.”
His full name is Nathan Rosenhaus, according to his LinkedIn page, and the Grand Canyon graduate has been working part-time at the club for nearly two years.
“I began my career working as a runner for the Cleveland Guardians during the summer of 2021,” his LinkedIn bio reads. Complete various tasks throughout the day including setting up stands, arranging seats around the pitch and placing banners along the pitch walls. Since then, I’ve started at GCU majoring in Sports and Recreation Management.
He also discussed his side projects.
Rosenhaus (left) pictured with other members of The Open Doors. He is said to be a drummer
But while Rosenhaus was criticized by Yankees fans, many fans offered him support on Twitter
Rosenhaus is a graduate of Grand Canyon University and a part-time host at the club
Johnny Damon with his long hair was photographed in Boston (left) and later in New York (right)
Aside from these situations, Rosenhaus wrote, I have helped record a simulated season for Guardians social media accounts during the covid lockdown, and have been writing music and performing live with my band The Open Doors.
Rosenhaus also received heat from Yankees fans about his red highs, which clashed with the traditional Yankees colors, but again, the youngster works with the red-clad guards.
But while Rosenhaus was slammed by Yankees fans Monday, many of them gave him support on Twitter, where he’s known as Nate Rose.
Can we blow up The Open Doors Nate? one crazy asked. “It’s the least we can do to bully him yesterday.”
Rosenhaus’ response was gracious: “Hey guys, I really appreciate the support you mean to me and the whole band!” To make it easier for you, here’s a linktree containing each broadcast site, as well as a ticket link to our nearest show.
The Yankees’ grooming policy is a notorious aspect of Bronx play.
Most teams do not restrict facial hair or player hairstyles, and in the 1970s, then-Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley offered rewards for players to grow mustaches to attract younger fans.
But Steinbrenner was always different.
Known for his extreme restraint, Steinbrenner asked players like Johnny Damon and Jason Giambi to cut their long hair and shave regularly when they signed in the Bronx.
The club has continued a policy of taking care of Steinbrenner since his death in 2010.
Jason Giambi got a little change of heart as he left Oakland for the Bronx
