Senator Josh Hawley sent a pointed letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred after three San Francisco Giants pitchers were warned for writing Bible verses on their Pride Night hats. Hawley called it “grave concern,” argued MLB’s policy isn’t truly content-neutra
When three San Francisco Giants pitchers showed up for Pride Night with hats that referenced a Bible passage, the moment quickly turned into something harsher than a minor uniform reminder.
Senator Josh Hawley wrote a dramatic letter to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred after the players were warned for writing Bible verses on their Pride Night hats. Hawley. 46. said he was acting with “grave concern” over what he called MLB’s reported decision to issue a formal warning to three players for publicly expressing their Christian faith. The letter was sent on Tuesday, June 16.
Hawley said the warning came after a “high-profile undercover investigation” that he said revealed “at least one MLB team discriminated against a player based on his Catholic faith.” He told Manfred: “You must answer for what appears to be a pattern of discrimination within MLB against baseball players who profess their Christian faith.”.
Last week, three Giants pitchers — Landen Roupp, J.T. Brubaker and Ryan Walker — wrote a variation of Genesis 9: 12-16 on their Pride Night hats. Hawley described the text as establishing a rainbow as the permanent sign of Noah’s covenant with “all living creatures on Earth.” A fourth Giants pitcher. Sam Hentges. refused to wear the hat altogether.
In his letter, Hawley pushed back on MLB’s explanation that the policy was content-neutral. He wrote that MLB said it “respect[s] players’ right to free expression. ” but he called that “dubious.” He argued it was questionable because MLB is “openly promoting a political viewpoint and possibly compelling adherence to that viewpoint.”.
Hawley also challenged the league’s claim that it only forbids “writing of any kind” on uniforms. saying it “does not survive a cursory review of the league’s recent history.” He cited a series of examples from 2020. including jersey patches reading “Black Lives Matter” and “United for Change. ” authorization for “BLM” to be stenciled onto pitching mounds. and a suspension of the league’s own equipment rules so players could display progressive political slogans on their cleats.
Hawley framed his letter as part of an effort to “expose” what he described as MLB’s “anti-Christian bigotry.” He wrote: “The freedom to live out one’s faith does not end at the ballpark gate.” He added that “Americans of every creed are entitled to confidence that the institutions of our national pastime will not single out religious expression for punishment while celebrating messages of the league’s own choosing.” Hawley said he “trust[ed] the league shares that commitment” and expected a “prompt and complete response.”.
MLB responded on Tuesday with a clarification that drew a sharp line between the warning and the content of the verses. In a statement, a Major League Baseball spokesperson said their message to the Giants players had “absolutely nothing to do” with what the players wrote on their hats specifically.
“We respect players’ right to free expression,” the league said. The spokesperson added that MLB has “given the same warning numerous times in the past to players for messages such as ‘Dad. ’ ‘Happy Mother’s Day. I Love Mom’ and names of family members.” MLB also said none of the Giants players were fined or subjected to any disciplinary action.
The clash at the center of Hawley’s letter is clear: he argues that MLB treats Christian expression differently during Pride Night, while the league says the warnings were about uniform messaging rules in general and that the players faced no discipline.
Josh Hawley Rob Manfred MLB Major League Baseball Pride Night hats San Francisco Giants Landen Roupp J.T. Brubaker Ryan Walker Sam Hentges Genesis 9:12-16 Bible verses Christian faith free expression uniform policy Black Lives Matter United for Change political messages
So now hats are illegal? MLB just needs to pick a side.
Wait I thought Pride Night was supposed to be inclusive, not “oops sorry you can’t wear your faith.” Hawley always stirring stuff though. But like… what’s the actual policy here?
I’m confused because the article says they wrote Bible verses “referencing a Bible passage” but somehow that’s a discrimination issue? Isn’t the whole point of freedom of expression like… they should’ve been fine? Unless MLB is saying the rainbow thing is political? That’s dumb either way.
This sounds like MLB got caught being hypocrites again. Like “content-neutral” my butt, if you’re gonna warn dudes for a hat then just say you don’t want religion on Pride Night. Also Hawley calling it an undercover investigation… sounds dramatic but also I could see teams doing whatever gets ratings. Either way the pitchers should just wear whatever.