Major League Baseball (MLB) has condemned those writing Bible verses on Pride Night hats. The criticism comes as members of the San Francisco Giants wrote on their hats during their game against the Chicago Cubs.
MLB Chief Communications Officer Pat Courtney said, as per ESPN, “The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations.”
The statement follows Giants player Landen Roupp, wearing “Gen 9:12-16” on his hat. He told reporters, “It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy. That’s just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that, and I’m thankful we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want, and express what we want.
When asked what he would say to those pushing back on his choice, he explained that “as a believer, I would push them to read the Bible. God has blessed me in so many ways, and I don’t think I’d be here right now if it wasn’t for him.”
Another player, Sam Hentges, opted not to wear the Pride Night hat. “It’s just something that I feel like I was forced to support when I don’t morally support it,” he said. “There wasn’t hatred behind it. I think that’s kind of something that’s misinterpreted. I don’t hate the LGBTQ community. It’s just something I believed and talked with teammates and family, and they supported it.”
Last year, 29 MLB teams announced a Pride Night.
