The discipline from spending his age 14-17 years at Culver Military Academy and his time at Lockbourne Air Force Base inspired Steinbrenner to adopt an appearance policy upon Yankees players and coaches four years after he purchased baseball’s most famous and success franchise from CBS.

Steinbrenner’s willingness to adapt to the shifting sands is a recognition of reality. Times have changed. The Yankees can no longer rely on their aura, their tradition of excellence and their bottomless caches of cash to nab top free agents. Every advantage — and disadvantage — matters.