MLB warns Giants pitchers for about Bible verses written on Pride caps
Story by
MLB warns Giants pitchers for about Bible verses written on Pride caps
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Oracle Park.
Kristie Ackert, USA TODAY·USA TODAY Sports
·
3 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Major League Baseballhas warned threeSan Francisco Giantspitchers for writing Bible verses on their Pride Night caps, telling the players that they broke its uniform rules.
StarterLanden Rouppand relieversJT BrubakerandRyan Walkereach took the mound Friday, May 12 in the team's rainbow Pride cap with a passage from Genesis scrawled next to the logo. A fourth pitcher,Sam Hentges, didn't wear the Pride cap at all. He went with the Giants' regular hat.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MLB chief communications officer Pat Courtney said the writing violated league rules and that the players had been warned about doing it again, in a statement first reported by Outsports and confirmed to USA TODAY.
There is nothing unusual about the warning itself. Baseball's uniform rules don't let players add writing or illustrations to any part of the uniform, no matter what it says. The first time, you get a warning. A second offense and there is discipline.ClevelandpitcherMike Clevingergot the same kind of warning in 2018 for wearing a pair of loud cleats.
On Tuesday, MLB further clarified their stance that there is no writing allowed on the uniforms.
"To be clear, this routine verbal warning not to wear the hat in future games is not disciplinary and had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message. We respect players' right to free expression. However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited per Major League Baseball's Uniform Regulations which provides in part that, "[a] Player may not write, attach, affix, embroider or otherwise display nicknames or messages on apparel or playing equipment…". We have 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 said in a statement forwarded to USA TODAY.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Roupp's cap read "Gen 9:12-16." Those are the Bible verses that state that God hangs a rainbow in the sky as the sign of his covenant after the flood. Lately those verses have become passages of choice for Christian athletes who want the rainbow back as a religious symbol instead of an LBGTQ one.Clayton Kershawwrote the same lines on hisDodgersPride cap last season.
Roupp didn't hide from it after the game. The verse was about God's covenant and his own faith, he told reporters, and there was no hate in it. When a reporter asked how he'd answer someone in the LGBTQ community who was hurt by it, he said he would tell them to read the Bible.
"There's no hate at all," Roupp said. "It's just what I stand for."
People march in thePrideparade on Broadway in downtown Nashville, on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER, THE TENNESSEAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)
An participant passes Pride flags during the 2026 Sun City Pride Parade in Downtown El Paso on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
(Gaby Velasquez, El Paso Times via USA TODAY NETWORK)
People march in the Pride parade on Broadway in downtown Nashville, on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER, THE TENNESSEAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)
Beads sit on one of the vendor tables. LubbockPRIDE fest was held Saturday for the LGBTQ+ community to foster a sense of community.
(Mark Rogers, for the Avalanche-Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
A person holds an umbrella in the colors of a Pride flag as people attend the Budapest Pride march in Budapest, Hungary, June 27, 2026.
(Marton Monus, REUTERS)
Pride flags fly outside City Hall on June 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. More than 250 couples are scheduled to marry at City Hall as the city marks the 11th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage, with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie officiating several ceremonies for LGBTQ couples.
(Heather Diehl, Getty Images)
Scotland's LGBTQ community gathers during Pride Edinburgh on June 20, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The event bills itself as Scotland's longest-running LGBTQ celebration.
(Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images)
People at Milano Pride Parade 2026 on June 27, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
(Valentina S. Frugiuele, Getty Images)
Queer members of the LGBTQ community hold rainbow umbrellas during aPrideevent in Chennai, India on June 1, 2026.
(R. SATISH BABU, AFP via Getty Images)
People march near the Colosseum during the Pride Parade in Rome on June 20, 2026.
(TIZIANA FABI, AFP via Getty Images)
Participants carry rainbow-colored flags as they march in the Pristina Pride Parade 2026 in Pristina, Kosovo June 5, 2026.
(Valdrin Xhemaj, REUTERS)
A giant flag is displayed in the outfield to celebrate Pride night before the Baltimore Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 5, 2026 in Toronto, Canada.
(Mark Blinch, Getty Images)
Participants carry rainbow-colored flags as they march in the Pristina Pride Parade 2026 in Pristina, Kosovo June 5, 2026.
(Valdrin Xhemaj, REUTERS)
A reveller takes part in the LGBTQ+ rights annual Pride parade, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 7, 2026.
(Jean Carniel, REUTERS)
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
Gloria Allred (R) and a look-alike attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
This aerial view shows revellers taking part in the 30th LGBT Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 7, 2026.
(MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL, AFP via Getty Images)
Attendees wave Pride flags at the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
A reveller takes part in the 30th LGBT Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 7, 2026.
(MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL, AFP via Getty Images)
A reveller takes part in the 30th LGBT Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 7, 2026.
(MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL, AFP via Getty Images)
People celebrate during 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
Freddie Mercury and Elton John impersonators attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
Johnny Knoxville attends the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 07, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
Drag queens attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
A dog with dyed pink fur on its head attends the Pride parade on the Promenade in Blackpool, England on June 6, 2026.
(OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
Ruby Lebouef, 4, waves a pride flag during the Salem Capital Pride parade on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Salem, Ore.
(Kevin Neri/Statesman Journal)
LGBTI+ activists march in a Pride parade despite a ban by local authorities in Ankara, Turkey, June 20, 2026. A small group managed to march in the Turkish capital to mark the annual LGBTI+ Pride parade and protested discrimination and hatred against the LGBTI+ community.
(Efekan Akyuz, REUTERS)
Members of Trans-Latinx DMV practice a routine ahead of the Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 20, 2026.
(Leah Millis, REUTERS)
TOPSHOT - The float of Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical rides near the Imperial Forum during the Pride Parade in Rome on June 20, 2026.
(TIZIANA FABI, AFP via Getty Images)
1/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
People march in thePrideparade on Broadway in downtown Nashville, on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER, THE TENNESSEAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)
1/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
People march in thePrideparade on Broadway in downtown Nashville, on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER, THE TENNESSEAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)
2/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
An participant passes Pride flags during the 2026 Sun City Pride Parade in Downtown El Paso on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
(Gaby Velasquez, El Paso Times via USA TODAY NETWORK)
3/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
People march in the Pride parade on Broadway in downtown Nashville, on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER, THE TENNESSEAN via USA TODAY NETWORK)
4/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Beads sit on one of the vendor tables. LubbockPRIDE fest was held Saturday for the LGBTQ+ community to foster a sense of community.
(Mark Rogers, for the Avalanche-Journal via USA TODAY NETWORK)
5/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
A person holds an umbrella in the colors of a Pride flag as people attend the Budapest Pride march in Budapest, Hungary, June 27, 2026.
(Marton Monus, REUTERS)
6/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Pride flags fly outside City Hall on June 26, 2026 in San Francisco, California. More than 250 couples are scheduled to marry at City Hall as the city marks the 11th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage, with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie officiating several ceremonies for LGBTQ couples.
(Heather Diehl, Getty Images)
7/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Scotland's LGBTQ community gathers during Pride Edinburgh on June 20, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The event bills itself as Scotland's longest-running LGBTQ celebration.
(Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images)
8/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
People at Milano Pride Parade 2026 on June 27, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
(Valentina S. Frugiuele, Getty Images)
9/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Queer members of the LGBTQ community hold rainbow umbrellas during aPrideevent in Chennai, India on June 1, 2026.
(R. SATISH BABU, AFP via Getty Images)
10/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
People march near the Colosseum during the Pride Parade in Rome on June 20, 2026.
(TIZIANA FABI, AFP via Getty Images)
11/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Participants carry rainbow-colored flags as they march in the Pristina Pride Parade 2026 in Pristina, Kosovo June 5, 2026.
(Valdrin Xhemaj, REUTERS)
12/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
A giant flag is displayed in the outfield to celebrate Pride night before the Baltimore Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 5, 2026 in Toronto, Canada.
(Mark Blinch, Getty Images)
13/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Participants carry rainbow-colored flags as they march in the Pristina Pride Parade 2026 in Pristina, Kosovo June 5, 2026.
(Valdrin Xhemaj, REUTERS)
14/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
A reveller takes part in the LGBTQ+ rights annual Pride parade, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 7, 2026.
(Jean Carniel, REUTERS)
15/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
16/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Gloria Allred (R) and a look-alike attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
17/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
This aerial view shows revellers taking part in the 30th LGBT Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 7, 2026.
(MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL, AFP via Getty Images)
18/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Attendees wave Pride flags at the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
19/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
A reveller takes part in the 30th LGBT Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 7, 2026.
(MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL, AFP via Getty Images)
20/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
A reveller takes part in the 30th LGBT Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 7, 2026.
(MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL, AFP via Getty Images)
21/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
People celebrate during 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
22/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Freddie Mercury and Elton John impersonators attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
23/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Johnny Knoxville attends the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 07, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
24/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Drag queens attend the 2026 WeHo Pride Parade on June 7, 2026 in West Hollywood, Calif.
(Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)
25/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
A dog with dyed pink fur on its head attends the Pride parade on the Promenade in Blackpool, England on June 6, 2026.
(OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
26/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Ruby Lebouef, 4, waves a pride flag during the Salem Capital Pride parade on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Salem, Ore.
(Kevin Neri/Statesman Journal)
27/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
LGBTI+ activists march in a Pride parade despite a ban by local authorities in Ankara, Turkey, June 20, 2026. A small group managed to march in the Turkish capital to mark the annual LGBTI+ Pride parade and protested discrimination and hatred against the LGBTI+ community.
(Efekan Akyuz, REUTERS)
28/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
Members of Trans-Latinx DMV practice a routine ahead of the Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 20, 2026.
(Leah Millis, REUTERS)
29/29
Scenes of Pride Month joy from around the world
TOPSHOT - The float of Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical rides near the Imperial Forum during the Pride Parade in Rome on June 20, 2026.
(TIZIANA FABI, AFP via Getty Images)
The Giants did not punish anyone. The club put out a few sentences saying it knew the players' choices had caused pain and anger among LGBTQ fans and that it was sorry. A club can discipline a player for disrupting a team event if it wants.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Manager Tony Vitello said nobody talked to the pitchers about the caps beforehand. He called them individuals free to do what they think is best, then went out of his way to praise how the organization embraces the communities it celebrates on theme nights.
It is striking with a franchise that has leaned in for a long time.San Franciscothrew the first HIV/AIDS awareness game in major pro sports: "Until There's a Cure," in 1994. It was the first team to stitch the rainbow into its on-field caps in 2021.
On Friday, as they lost to theCubs, the pitchers became just another group in a run of MLB players sitting out Pride in some form or another on faith grounds.
