Major League Baseball Admits It Was Wrong to Threaten Christian Players

According to Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred, Jr., the San Francisco Giants pitchers threatened over putting Bible verses on their caps “were neither fined, nor disciplined, nor will they ever be.”

The admission comes just days after league officials warned the Giants’ Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker for writing “Gen. 9:12-16” beside their team’s rainbow logo.

The modified cap was part of San Francisco’s far-reaching “Pride Night” spectacle, an event that included various other manifestations, including on field drag queens. While complying with the team directive to wear the cap, the players chose to reclaim the biblical meaning of the rainbow. By including the scriptural reference to God’s use of the meteorological and optical phenomenon as a symbol of God’s covenant of mercy and faithfulness, the pitchers were simultaneously witnessing and objecting to having to wear propaganda on their head.

Mr. Manfred’s explanation came in response to a letter from Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In his letter, Senator Hawley noted MLB’s “dubious” claim that they maintain a “content-neutral policy” and that MLB “respect[s] players’ right to free expression.” 

Senator Hawley also noted:

Your organization’s recent action follows an undercover investigation which revealed an admission from a Washington Nationals executive that a Catholic player on the team was not included in promotional materials for the team because of his faith. That executive has since been fired, but not before the anti-Christian bigotry was exposed. 

Commissioner Manfred responded within only a matter of days, explaining that MLB’s verbal warning was made without knowing that the San Francisco Giants’ club had not properly or clearly communicated league policy to players. He specifically noted league policy doesn’t require players to wear any special uniform that “make them uncomfortable.”

“Unfortunately, this year the Giants’ communication with players was inadequate and not clear,” Manfred wrote. “Some players apparently did not understand that they had the option to wear their normal uniform and elected to add messages to their hats bearing the pride logo as a result.”

Mr. Manfred assured Senator Hawley, “MLB believes in the right of our players and fans to express their religious beliefs …”

At the same time, the commissioner emphasized league policy regarding independent messages on uniforms – a policy MLB has not consistently enforced. 

“We respect players’ right to free expression,” he wrote. “However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited per Major League Baseball’s uniform regulations, which provide in part that, ‘(a) player may not write, attach, affix, embroider or otherwise display nicknames or messages on apparel or playing equipment…’”

We appreciate Senator Hawley’s swift action in reaching out to Major League Baseball. Not only did he expose the league’s overreach, but he also forced the commissioner to acknowledge and affirm the players’ religious freedoms. 

Yet, at this point, it seems MLB officials remain committed to charging full steam ahead with their full LGBT embrace, especially during the month of June. Instead of blindly bowing to radicals pushing the sexually confused agenda, they would be wise to consider what most of their fans really want. The Texas Rangers’ Faith and Family Night has been a rousing success, a welcome breath of wholesomeness in a culture too often caving to immoral special interests.

Major League Baseball has admitted it was wrong to threaten Christian players – and we pray that in the days and years to come, the league will come around and do what is right by reemphasizing the faith and values of many of its fans.