Major League Baseball has put players on notice about writing on their uniforms after three San Francisco Giants pitchers inscribed Bible verses on their caps during the team’s Pride Night game last week.
Giants starter Landen Roupp took the mound Friday night in a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs with “Gen 9:12-16” written on his cap. The inscription partially covered the rainbow SF logo that players were wearing to mark Pride Night. San Francisco relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker also had Bible verses written on their caps during the game.
A fourth Giants pitcher, left-hander Sam Hentges, chose to wear the team’s regular black cap with the orange logo rather than the Pride Night version.
In response, MLB released a statement saying the writing broke league uniform rules and that the players involved have been cautioned about repeating the violation. “The writing on the cap violates our rules and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations,” the league said.
The Genesis passage referenced by Roupp describes God’s covenant with Noah — a promise never to send another worldwide flood — with the rainbow serving as the symbol of that agreement.
Roupp explained his decision to reporters after the game. “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,” he said.
Giants manager Tony Vitello told reporters the topic was never brought up with the pitchers before the game, adding that it was “just kind of a general knowledge” that players “have the freedom to do what they think is best.”
