MLB Issues Then Withdraws Warning to Giants Over Pride Night Caps with Bible Verses

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stated that San Francisco Giants pitchers who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps will not face fines or discipline. The three pitchers added the references during a June 12 game against the Chicago Cubs. The caps displayed the Giants logo in rainbow colors.

Pitcher Sam Hentges chose not to wear the themed cap. The league issued an oral warning to the Giants after the game for a uniform policy violation. Officials later withdrew the warning once they learned the team had not clearly communicated that players could decline to wear the caps.

Some players therefore added messages to the caps because they did not understand they could wear their normal uniforms. Manfred wrote that the Giants’ communication with players before the game was inadequate. The players wore the caps with biblical references for the entire game.

MLB adopted a 2023 policy that limits special uniforms and caps on celebration days. The Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers received exemptions that year allowing Pride emblems on caps and uniforms, provided players were not required to wear them and teams confirmed player comfort.

Senator Josh Hawley wrote to Manfred expressing concern over the warning and questioning the league’s promotion of Pride-themed items.

Manfred’s response letter, posted by Hawley on social media, confirmed that the players faced no penalties.