MLB says Giants players will not be fined for Bible verses on Pride caps

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred informed Senator Josh Hawley that the league will not fine or otherwise discipline San Francisco Giants players who added Bible verse references to the team’s Pride Night caps. Manfred said the league issued a routine oral warning after learning that the Giants had not clearly instructed players they could wear standard caps instead of the Pride-themed version.

"The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be," Manfred wrote in a letter to Hawley. The warning was given before the league discovered the communication shortfall, which Manfred described as "inadequate and not clear." He added that the uniform policy, which is collectively bargained with the MLB Players Association, prohibits any messages on apparel or equipment regardless of content, and is enforced uniformly to avoid selective censorship. Manfred acknowledged that some players may feel uncomfortable wearing Pride symbols due to religious beliefs and said MLB tries to avoid forcing participation in commemorative events that conflict with personal values. The policy, adopted in 2023, generally bars special uniforms or hats except for limited exceptions such as memorial patches. The Giants and Dodgers retain a grandfathered allowance to use Pride emblems because of the size of local LGBTQ communities, provided no player is required to wear them. The controversy began after pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote Genesis references on the rainbow-logo caps during the June 12 Pride Night game. One reliever, Sam Hentges, chose to wear a regular cap. The issue follows earlier incidents involving Pride-themed apparel in MLB. Manfred said the league will keep the ban on uniform alterations while continuing to work with clubs and players to respect both religious expression and support for LGBTQ fans.