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MLB Backs Down After Pride Night Bible Verse Backlash

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred has acknowledged that San Francisco Giants players who displayed Bible verses on their Pride Night caps will not face fines or discipline, according to a letter released Monday by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO).

The development comes after a growing controversy surrounding several Giants pitchers who wrote references to Bible passages on rainbow-themed Pride Night hats during a June 12 game. MLB later issued warnings to the players, prompting criticism and triggering inquiries from the Trump administration over potential religious discrimination.

Hawley announced the commissioner’s response in a post on X Monday afternoon.

“MLB Commissioner 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,” Hawley wrote.

The senator’s statement accompanied a copy of Manfred’s June 19 letter, which sought to explain the league’s actions and clarify MLB’s policies regarding messages displayed on uniforms and equipment.

In the letter, Manfred rejected allegations that the league discriminated against the players because of their faith. He claimed that MLB has a longstanding policy, negotiated with the Major League Baseball Players Association, prohibiting players from writing or displaying personal messages on uniforms or playing equipment.

According to Manfred, the policy is enforced regardless of the message’s content and is intended to prevent players from becoming representatives for political or social causes while in uniform.

“By warning the Giants players that they may not include Bible verses on their caps in the future, MLB was not discriminating or chastising those players based on their religious beliefs,” Manfred wrote. “Rather MLB was enforcing a long-standing, collectively bargained rule.”

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The commissioner noted that the rule has been applied to a variety of messages over the years, including personal tributes and memorials.

Manfred also addressed concerns regarding Pride Night celebrations and religious objections from players. He stated that MLB adopted a policy in 2023 limiting special uniforms and equipment used for commemorative events after some players expressed discomfort participating in celebrations that conflicted with their religious beliefs.

The Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers were granted a special exception allowing Pride-themed logos on hats and uniforms, Manfred said, provided no player was required to wear them and participation remained voluntary.

According to the commissioner, communication failures within the Giants organization led some players to believe they had no alternative but to wear the Pride-themed hats. As a result, several players added biblical references to the caps.

Manfred acknowledged that the players wore the hats throughout the game without interference and said MLB’s subsequent warning was merely a routine reminder about the uniform policy.

“The players were neither fined nor disciplined, nor will they ever be,” Manfred wrote. “We believe that a policy permitting our Clubs to celebrate or honor segments of its fanbase, yet does not require players or other on-field personnel to directly participate in the celebration in ways that make them uncomfortable, strikes the right balance,” Manfred wrote.

The controversy has drawn national attention in recent days. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced that the Department of Justice had opened an inquiry into whether the players’ religious rights were violated. Vice President JD Vance and several Republican lawmakers also criticized MLB’s handling of the matter.

The players at the center of the controversy wore references to Genesis 9:12-16, a passage describing God’s covenant with Noah and the rainbow as a sign of that covenant.

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