Johnny Damon has a surprising take on Yankees’ new beard policy

One of the players most dramatically affected by the Yankees’ long-standing policy on beards and long hair believes they should keep the “tradition.”

Johnny Damon, who cut his locks and shaved his facial hair after leaving the Red Sox for the Yankees in 2006, said he learned about Hal Steinbrenner’s Friday announcement about the reversal while on a Virgin cruise.

“I just heard that the Yankees are not requiring people to cut the hair, trim their beards- — you could always have your [mustache] — but I think we need to keep it how it was with respect to Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter and Mariano [Rivera],” Damon said in an Instagram video. “…The Yankees are a tradition. Let’s keep it.

“I cut these lovely locks off many years ago because George Steinbrenner is such a great human being, such a great boss, that I wasn’t even going to question it.

“Everyone, let’s keep the policies the same, listen to your bosses, always bring your A-game, and let’s go.”

While he was listing those franchise legends, Damon also noted that former teammate Jorge Posada “should be a Hall of Famer in my book.”