MLB Addresses Controversy Over Giants’ Bible Verses on Pride Night Caps

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred informed Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., that San Francisco Giants players who inscribed Bible verse references on their Pride Night hats will not face fines or disciplinary actions. This announcement comes amidst discussions about the league’s uniform policy at the heart of the issue.

In a June 19 letter that Hawley posted on social media, Manfred explained that MLB’s office issued routine verbal warnings to Giants players who added religious messages to their caps which featured the Pride logo. The warnings were given before the league realized that the Giants had not made it clear to players that they could opt for regular caps instead.

“The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be,” Manfred stated. San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp chose to write “Genesis 9:12-16” on his Pride-Night hat.

Not all players wore the altered caps. Reliever Sam Hentges opted for the team’s standard cap rather than the Pride Night version during the game.

Senator Josh Hawley demanded explanations from MLB, labeling their response as an acknowledgment of wrongdoing in warning Giants players over displaying Bible verses. He addressed Manfred in a letter questioning why MLB issued warnings for public expressions of Christian faith on caps during Pride Night.

The discussion intensified when Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, stated the Justice Department had referred the matter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, citing concerns of religious discrimination.

The controversy started after Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker marked Bible verse references on their rainbow-logo caps during the team’s Pride Night, on June 12. Roupp referenced Genesis 9:12-16, a passage that describes the rainbow as a sign of God’s promise after the flood.

MLB initially claimed these inscriptions violated league rules that prohibit altering uniforms or equipment. In his letter to Hawley, Manfred clarified that the rule had been collectively agreed upon with the player’s association and prohibits writing, attaching, or displaying any messages on apparel or equipment.

“The policy is enforced without regard to the substance of the messaging,” Manfred mentioned. The rule aims to prevent players from conveying political or social messages while in uniform, given that some messages might offend parts of the fan base, even unintentionally.

However, Manfred recognized the MLB’s effort to avoid compelling players to partake in ceremonial events conflicting with their religious beliefs or values. He stated, “We realize certain players or personnel have been uncomfortable wearing pride emblems on their uniform due to religious beliefs.”

The issue isn’t new for MLB, with Rays players declining Pride logos in 2022, and former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw using the same Genesis reference on a Pride cap last season.

The commissioner mentioned MLB adopted a policy in 2023 disallowing special uniforms, hats, or equipment for team celebration days except under specific conditions such as patches honoring deceased baseball community members or marking baseball milestones.

Nevertheless, Manfred shared that the Dodgers and Giants continue using Pride emblems on uniforms and hats due to a grandfathered exception. Since Los Angeles and San Francisco house large LGBTQ communities and both clubs intended to support those fans, the exception was agreed upon.

MLB stipulated that no player or uniformed staff would be obligated to wear the gear and clubs must ensure players are comfortable with the apparel. Manfred acknowledged the Giants this year lacked adequate communication, leading to some players misunderstanding their option to wear regular uniforms, resulting in them adding messages to the Pride caps.

“MLB supports the right of our players and fans to express their religious beliefs while also backing communities that are fans of our Clubs, including the LGBTQ community,” Manfred concluded. He underscored that MLB will continue its stance on uniform alterations to prevent “censoring some messages but not others,” while collaborating with players and clubs on policies respecting player and fan values and beliefs.

Reporter Dan Zaksheske contributed to this report.