Major League Baseball came out against players writing inscriptions on team-issued uniforms after Giants pitchers added Bible verses to their Pride caps Friday night at Oracle Park.
MLB released a statement Monday: “The writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations.”
MLB updated its statement Tuesday and shared it with The Standard: “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.”
Pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker wrote biblical verses on their caps, which featured rainbow team logos, as a statement against Pride Night and the team’s celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
A fourth pitcher, Sam Hentges, didn’t wear a Pride cap at all and instead was seen with his regular Giants cap. He said his message was similar to those of his teammates: “It’s just something that I feel like I was forced to support when I don’t morally support it.”
In the collective bargaining agreement (opens in new tab), negotiated by the owners/league and the players union, a passage called “Uniform Dress Policy” says, “No alterations, writing or illustrations, other than its authorized herein, are to be made to any part of the uniform.”
The CBA states that the first violation comes with a warning. The second violation calls for disciplinary action, including a $1,000 fine with a provision that additional discipline would be given for further violations. Fines increase to $5,000 and $10,000, and a fourth violation would make a player ineligible until his uniform is in compliance with the CBA regulations.
The CBA expires in December.
Today
3 days ago
Friday, Jun. 5
Before MLB released its statements, the Giants issued one of their own: “The San Francisco Giants are proud to support Pride Night and the LGBTQ+ community. Baseball should be a place where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.
“We also respect that individuals may make personal choices about participating in team activations. We understand that the choices by individual players have caused pain and anger to many in the LGBTQ+ community and we are sorry for that. Those choices do not change our organization’s commitment to inclusion, belonging, and creating a welcoming environment for all.
“We remain grateful to our fans, partners, employees, players, and coaches who help make Pride Night a meaningful celebration.”
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