San Francisco Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker were warned after wearing Bible references on their rainbow-logo caps during the team’s Pride Night game.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Major League Baseball warned three San Francisco Giants pitchers after they wore Bible verses on their Pride Night caps during Friday’s game.
The controversy began when Giants starter Landen Roupp took the mound with “Gen 9:12-16” written on his rainbow-logo cap. The passage refers to the biblical account of the rainbow as God’s covenant that the world would not again be destroyed by flood.
Roupp’s cap drew attention online after the game, including through a social media post highlighting the players’ decision.
A BibleGateway page for Genesis 9:12-16 shows the passage Roupp referenced.
Roupp later explained the decision during a post-game interview.
“It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy… That’s just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that, and I’m thankful we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want … and express what we want,” Roupp said.
A separate post showed Roupp discussing the verse after the game.
Roupp was not the only Giants pitcher to mark his cap with a Bible reference. Sports Illustrated reported that relief pitchers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker also appeared in the game with Bible verses written on their hats.
The outlet also reported that reliever Sam Hentges did not wear the Pride Night cap and instead entered the game wearing the team’s standard black-and-orange cap rather than the rainbow-logo version.
Giants manager Tony Vitello was asked whether he had addressed the situation with the team.
“Not really. I mean, just kind of a general knowledge of the individuals have the freedom to do what they think is best. But I do think it’s been apparent from day one, actually, even some of the exhibition games, it’s pretty impressive how the Giants, as an organization, try and embrace the entire community,” Vitello said.
MLB Chief Communications Officer Pat Courtney told The Athletic that the issue involved league uniform rules.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations,” Courtney said.
The league’s warning drew reaction from political figures and commentators.
Vice President J.D. Vance wrote on social media, “Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore.” His comment was shared in a post reacting to the MLB warning.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also criticized the league’s action.
“The Texas Rangers are the only team in Major League Baseball that doesn’t host a Pride Night. This week, they’re hosting Faith and Family Night instead. Meanwhile, MLB just warned Giants pitchers for writing Bible verses on their own caps. In Texas, we don’t punish people for living out their faith. We protect that right,” Abbott wrote in a social media post.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier suggested his office may investigate MLB for discrimination, according to another post.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., also responded by sending a letter to MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred seeking answers about what Hawley described as apparent discrimination against Christian players. The letter was referenced in a post.
Comedian Rob Schneider said he would “pay the fines” for any professional baseball player who wore a Bible verse on a uniform, calling the league “anti-Christian,” according to a post.
The Giants’ Pride Night also included an on-field ceremony before the game in which 10 gay couples renewed their vows, with a drag queen officiating, according to a post.
MLB’s warning centered on its uniform rules, while critics argued the league’s response raised questions about religious expression by players during an event focused on inclusion.
The players were warned about future violations, but the information provided did not indicate that MLB announced fines or suspensions.
Comments