MLB Admits They Mistreated Christian Players
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has acknowledged the league made a mistake after Christian players for the San Francisco Giants were warned for writing Bible verses on their Pride Night hats.
“Commissioner (Manfred) writes to me and admits they were wrong to threaten the Giants players over Bible verses and promises never to fine or discipline these players – or any players for their religious beliefs,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) wrote Monday afternoon on X.
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The controversy erupted after Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, J.T. Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote references to Genesis 9:12-16 on rainbow-themed caps during the team’s June 12 Pride Night game against the Chicago Cubs, according to ABC7 San Francisco and USA Today.
MLB initially warned the players that writing on uniforms violated league rules, prompting Hawley to send a blistering letter to Manfred accusing the league of discriminating against Christians. Hawley’s office said the senator demanded answers over what he called an apparent “pattern of discrimination” against Christian players.
But in a written response to Hawley, MLB appeared to concede that players should never be forced to violate their faith.
“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,” the league wrote.
MLB went even further, acknowledging a basic workplace protection for players of faith.
“As a league, we agree with the principle that players or other Club employees – at their place of work – should not be compelled to participate in a celebratory event (particularly by wearing something on their person) if such participation would violate their sincere religious beliefs or values,” the league wrote.
The commissioner also noted that MLB changed its policy in 2023 to stop clubs from using special uniforms, hats or equipment during celebration days, although “the Dodgers and Giants wanted their pride outfits to be grandfathered.”
Most importantly, the league said the Giants players will not be punished.
“The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be,” MLB wrote.
The league said it still supports Pride celebrations and LGBTQ fans, but also recognizes religious expression.
“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,” the league wrote.
For Hawley and religious liberty advocates, the letter amounts to a significant reversal after MLB first reached for the rulebook against Christian players who simply pointed to Scripture as a source of their pride.