SouthernWorldwide.com – Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has informed Senator Josh Hawley that San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verse references on their Pride Night hats will not face any disciplinary action or fines.
Manfred’s statement came in a letter dated June 19, which Hawley shared on X. The MLB office had initially issued a verbal warning to the Giants players after they added biblical references to caps featuring the team’s Pride logo.
However, the warning was issued before MLB was aware that the Giants had not clearly communicated to their players that they had the option to wear regular caps instead. Manfred explicitly stated in his letter that the players were neither fined nor disciplined, and “will they ever be.”
It was noted that at least one Giants player, reliever Sam Hentges, chose not to wear the Pride Night cap and opted for the team’s standard cap during the game.
Senator Josh Hawley had previously demanded answers from MLB, characterizing the league’s actions as an admission of being “wrong to threaten the Giants players over Bible verses.” Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, had sent a letter to Manfred on June 16 questioning why MLB had warned players for “publicly expressing their Christian faith” on their caps during San Francisco’s Pride Night.
This exchange followed a statement by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon. Dhillon had indicated that the Justice Department had referred the matter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, citing concerns of religious discrimination in MLB’s handling of the warnings.
The controversy began when Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker inscribed Bible verse references on caps adorned with a rainbow logo during the team’s Pride Night game on June 12. Roupp, for instance, wrote “Gen 9:12-16,” referencing a passage from Genesis about the rainbow being a sign of God’s covenant after the flood.
MLB’s initial stance was that these inscriptions violated league rules prohibiting players from altering uniforms or equipment. In his letter to Hawley, Manfred explained that this rule was collectively bargained with the MLB Players Association and prohibits players from writing, attaching, affixing, embroidering, or otherwise displaying messages on apparel or playing equipment.
“The policy is enforced without regard to the substance of the messaging,” Manfred wrote, emphasizing that the rule’s purpose is to prevent players from becoming messengers for political or social issues while in uniform, as various messages could potentially offend segments of the fanbase, irrespective of the player’s intent.
Manfred also acknowledged that MLB has made efforts to avoid placing players in situations where they are compelled to participate in commemorative events that might conflict with their religious beliefs or values.
“We understand that some players or other on-field personnel have not been comfortable wearing the pride emblem on their uniform based on their religious beliefs,” Manfred stated.
This issue is not the first MLB controversy involving Pride-themed uniforms. In 2022, Rays players declined to wear Pride logos, and former Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw similarly wrote the same Genesis reference on a Pride-themed cap last season.
The commissioner detailed that MLB implemented a policy in 2023 that bars clubs from using special uniforms, hats, or equipment for team celebration days, except under specific, limited circumstances. These exceptions typically include patches honoring deceased members of the baseball community or commemorating baseball milestones.
However, Manfred explained that the Dodgers and Giants were permitted to continue using Pride emblems on their uniforms and hats due to a grandfathered exception. This was granted because both Los Angeles and San Francisco are home to significant LGBTQ communities, and both clubs expressed a desire to show support for these fans.
MLB agreed to this exception on the condition that no player or uniformed staff member would be required to wear the gear. Additionally, each club was responsible for ensuring that players were comfortable with the apparel, according to Manfred.
Manfred conceded that the Giants’ communication with their players this year was “inadequate and not clear.” He added that some players did not realize they had the option to wear their normal uniforms and consequently added messages to the Pride caps.
“In closing, MLB believes in the right of our players and fans to express their religious beliefs, and at the same time supports the communities in this country that are fans of our Clubs, including the LGBTQ community,” Manfred concluded.
Manfred affirmed that MLB will uphold its ban on uniform alterations to prevent the appearance of “censoring some messages but not others.” The league will continue to collaborate with players and clubs on policies that respect the values and beliefs of both players and fans.
