Major League Baseball warned players this week not to deface uniforms after several members of the San Francisco Giants openly defied their team\u2019s Pride Night event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201cGen 9:12-16\u201d on their caps, which featured the \u201cSF\u201d logo in rainbow colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Book of Genesis has become a favorite citation for opponents of gay rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giants reliever Sam Hentges refused to wear the rainbow Giants cap Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo 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\u2019 right to free expression,\u201d an MLB statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHowever, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited per Major League Baseball\u2019s Uniform Regulations which provides in part that, \u2018[a] Player may not write, attach, affix, embroider or otherwise display nicknames or messages on apparel or playing equipment,\u2019\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MLB said the warning had no direct tie to the players\u2019 actions on Pride Night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have given the same warning numerous times in the past to players for messages such as \u2018Dad\u2019, \u2018Happy Mother\u2019s Day, I Love Mom\u2019 and names of family members,\u2019\u201d MLB said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, were quick to defend the players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat does MLB think it\u2019s doing penalizing players for their Christian faith?\u201d Hawley said in a post on X. \u201cThey owe us some answers. Right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vance also weighed in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTrump won we don\u2019t have to do this anymore,\u201d the vice president posted on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beloved Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow urged the players to understand how their actions could offend the San Francisco community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think that you have the right as a player to believe and say whatever you want,\u201d Krukow told the San Francisco Chronicle. \u201cBut you have to take a broader look at the city you\u2019re playing in. What makes San Francisco so great is the acceptance of others \u2014 ethnicities, opinions, cultures \u2014 and that extends to the gay community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
San Francisco has long been a hub of gay culture with about 16% of the city identifying as LGBTQ+. The team\u2019s annual \u201cUntil There\u2019s a Cure Day\u201d dates back to 1994, which marked the first time a pro sports team held a benefit to fight AIDS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d said Krukow, a 74-year-old former Giants pitcher and son and grandson of police officers. \u201cYou can offend people. And why would you do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n