Rob Manfred told Sen. Josh Hawley that San Francisco Giants players who wore Bible verses on Pride Night caps were not fined or disciplined and “never” will be.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said San Francisco Giants players who wore Bible verses on their Pride Night hats will not be fined or disciplined, clarifying the league’s position after MLB warned three pitchers over uniform alterations.
The issue began after Giants right-hander Landen Roupp displayed “Gen 9:12-16” on his official Pride Night hat last Friday. Relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker also wore Bible verses on their Pride Night caps.
MLB initially said the writing violated league uniform rules.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations,” Pat Courtney, MLB’s chief communications officer, told The Athletic on Monday.
Manfred later addressed the controversy in a letter to Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., saying the players were not fined or otherwise punished. He also said the warning was issued before MLB learned that players had the option of wearing regular caps instead of Pride Night gear.
“The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be,” Manfred wrote.
Manfred said MLB applies its rule against displaying messages on uniforms evenly, “without regard to the substance of the messaging.”
“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 wrote.
The commissioner said MLB supports religious expression while also supporting its fan communities, including LGBTQ fans.
“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 wrote.
Manfred said the league will keep its ban on uniform alterations because allowing some messages while rejecting others would place MLB in the position of deciding which messages are permitted. He said the league will continue working with players and clubs on policies that respect the beliefs and values of players and fans.
Hawley shared Manfred’s letter online, and some social media users interpreted it as confirmation that MLB players will not be penalized for declining to wear Pride Night uniforms.
Other commentary on social media also focused on whether Manfred’s letter effectively settled the issue by making clear that players will not be punished for religious objections to Pride Night apparel.
The dispute has placed MLB’s uniform policies, religious expression and Pride Night events at the center of a broader debate over how professional sports leagues handle player beliefs while promoting league-sponsored theme nights.
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