Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that San Francisco Giants players who wrote Bible verse references on their Pride Night hats will not face fines or discipline from the league. The issue arose following the Giants’ June 12 Pride Night game when several players, including pitcher Landen Roupp, wrote Bible references on hats featuring the team’s Pride-themed logo.

Background

Roupp wrote a reference to Genesis 9:12-16, a passage describing the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant following the flood. In a letter to U.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, Manfred said MLB initially issued a routine verbal warning because league rules prohibit players from altering uniforms or equipment. However, he said no disciplinary action was taken and none is planned.

According to Manfred, league officials later learned the Giants had not clearly communicated to players that they could choose to wear their standard game caps instead of the Pride Night hats. The controversy prompted Hawley to question MLB’s handling of the situation, arguing that players should be free to express their religious beliefs.

Manfred defended the league’s policy prohibiting players from displaying messages on uniforms and equipment, saying the rule applies regardless of the content of the message and is intended to keep players from becoming representatives of political or social causes while in uniform. At the same time, Manfred said MLB recognizes that some players may have religious objections to participating in certain commemorative events.

The commissioner also said the Giants’ communication with players regarding those options this year was not clear enough, contributing to the controversy. MLB adopted a policy in 2023 limiting the use of special uniforms and equipment for themed events. However, the Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers were allowed to continue using Pride-themed logos and apparel under an exception approved by the league.

Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.