MLB warns players not to deface uniforms in wake of silent Pride Night protest

Major League Baseball warned players this week not to deface uniforms after several members of the San Francisco Giants openly defied their team’s Pride Night event. The Giants held their annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community on Friday at Oracle Park when losing pitcher Landen Roupp and relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker wrote the Bible verse “Gen 9:12-16” on their caps, which featured the “SF” logo in rainbow colors. The Book of Genesis has become a favorite citation for opponents of gay rights. Giants reliever Sam Hentges refused to wear the rainbow Giants cap Friday. “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,” an MLB statement said. “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,’” the statement said. MLB said the warning had no direct tie to the players’ actions on Pride Night. “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. Some Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, were quick to defend the players. “What does MLB think it’s doing penalizing players for their Christian faith?” Hawley said in a post on X. “They owe us some answers. Right now.” Vance also weighed in. “Trump won we don’t have to do this anymore,” the vice president posted on X. Beloved Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow urged the players to understand how their actions could offend the San Francisco community. “I think that you have the right as a player to believe and say whatever you want,” Krukow told the San Francisco Chronicle. “But you have to take a broader look at the city you’re playing in. What makes San Francisco so great is the acceptance of others — ethnicities, opinions, cultures — and that extends to the gay community.” San Francisco has long been a hub of gay culture with about 16% of the city identifying as LGBTQ+. The team’s annual “Until There’s a Cure Day” dates back to 1994, which marked the first time a pro sports team held a benefit to fight AIDS. “I would just hope they would understand the demographic of San Francisco and respect people for who they are. What you do to your uniform, that has weight to it,” said Krukow, a 74-year-old former Giants pitcher and son and grandson of police officers. “You can offend people. And why would you do that?”