Everyone knows the rules. The New York Yankees do not allow beard, goatees, or facial hair other than a neatly trimmed mustache. When the Yankees acquired him from the White Sox last March, Jake Cousins knew that he had to get a clean shave before he got on the plane. It was a little intimidating, Cousins told CJ Nitkowski and Ryan Spilborghs on MLB Network Radio’s “Loud Outs.”

“Like, when I got traded over there, I was a little bit like, ‘Man, it’s gonna be really strict. Like, I’m nervous, like, what’s things gonna be like in the clubhouse?’ But once you get there, the shaving is, like, I mean, it’s what it is. It’s fun to, like, be a part of that history,” Cousins said. “It’s been like that forever, and we’re just following what, like The Boss (George Steinbrenner) wanted and what the Steinbrenner family wanted.

“So it’s kind of like a fun history that you get to be a part of,” Cousins added. “And the clubhouse is super welcoming. And like, that whole aspect of it, they eased me into it really quick.” In 37 regular-season appearances last season, Cousins posted a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 38 innings. He earned Yankees manager Aaron Boone’s trust and was used in some high-leverage, late-inning mix and matches until a pec injury sidelined him.

He wasn’t as effective in the playoffs. He allowed three earned runs in 2 ⅓ innings pitched over three World Series appearances. Cousins will return to a bullpen the Yankees are rebuilding after the loss of closer Clay Holmes. Not only did he embrace the Yankees’ strict rules, but pitching on the big stage in New York City.

“I mean, playing in the biggest city, it’s a ton of fun. There’s a little bit of added pressure to it, but I think, like anyone in this scenario, like being a professional athlete wants that pressure,” Cousins said. “It’s kind of what makes it fun. “And there’s so much history to it,” Cousins continued. “Even just like the people that you rub shoulders with being in the Yankees clubhouse. The players that come back. We had a Legends game later on in the season….they brought back the 2009 team, and there I was rubbing shoulders with Derek Jeter. I mean it, Hall of Famers everywhere. So to be honest, it’s incredible.”