Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has informed Senator Josh Hawley that San Francisco Giants players will not face any fines or disciplinary actions after writing Bible verse references on their Pride Night hats. Manfred defended the league’s uniform policy, which is central to this controversy.
In a letter dated June 19 and posted to X by Hawley, Manfred shared that MLB issued only a “routine oral warning” to the Giants players who added biblical references to caps featuring the team’s Pride logo. This occurred before the league realized the Giants had not effectively communicated to players that wearing regular caps was an option.
The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be,” Manfred stated. San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp had written “Genesis 9:12-16” on his Pride-Night themed hat.
Pitcher Sam Hentges was among the players who chose to opt out of wearing the Pride Night cap, opting for the team’s standard cap.
Senator Hawley has characterized MLB’s response as an acknowledgment that the league was “wrong to threaten the Giants players over Bible verses.” He had written to Manfred on June 16, questioning the warning to players who publicly expressed their Christian faith on the caps during Pride Night.
The Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Harmeet Dhillon, revealed the Justice Department referred the matter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, highlighting concerns about religious discrimination.
The controversy emerged when Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker inscribed Bible verses on rainbow-logo caps on the June 12 Pride Night game. Roupp’s choice of “Gen 9:12-16” refers to a passage in Genesis describing the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant after the flood.
MLB’s initial position was that such writing violated rules prohibiting players from altering uniforms or equipment. Manfred explained these rules were collectively agreed upon with the MLB Players Association to enforce uniformity without bias to message content.
Manfred further clarified that the rule aims to prevent players from disseminating political or social messages, which may offend parts of the fan base despite players’ intentions. He also acknowledged the league’s effort to respect players’ religious beliefs, stating that MLB avoids obligating participation in commemorative events conflicting with personal values.
This isn’t the first MLB stir over Pride-themed apparel. Rays players declined Pride logos in 2022; Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw previously wrote the same Genesis reference on a Pride-themed cap.
In 2023, MLB implemented a policy restricting clubs from using special uniforms for team celebration days. Exceptions exist for tributes to deceased baseball community members or significant baseball milestones. Manfred explained that Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants exceptions were granted based on the large LGBTQ communities and respective clubs’ support.
The exemption holds as long as players or staff aren’t compelled to wear the gear, and clubs ensure players’ comfort. Miscommunication in the Giants’ case led some players to misunderstand their options, according to Manfred.
“MLB believes in the right of our players and fans to express their religious beliefs, while continuing support for diverse communities, including the LGBTQ community,” Manfred concluded.
He asserted that MLB will uphold its ban on altering uniforms to avoid unfair censorship of messages, continually working with players and clubs for policies respecting all values and beliefs.