MLB commissioner: Botched guidance left Giants players unclear on Pride Night opt-out
Key takeaways
- The players decision prompted the MLB to issue a warning to the three Giants, which it said at the time had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message.
- MLB believes in the rights of our players and fans to express their religious beliefs, Manfred wrote to Hawley.
- By warning the Giants players that they may not include Bible verses on their caps in the future, MLB was not discriminating or chastising those players based on their religious beliefs;
Why this matters: political developments that affect policy direction and public trust.
In a letter to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), MLB commissioner Rob Manfred chalked the warning up to a lapse in communication between the San Francisco Giants and pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker, who wore Bible verses on their Pride Night ball caps.
The players decision prompted the MLB to issue a warning to the three Giants, which it said at the time had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message.
Hawley had written to MLB asking it to clarify its position on political speech, saying in a social media post on Monday that Manfred had admit[ted] they were wrong to threaten the Giants players over Bible verses and promises never to fine or discipline these players – or any players for their religious beliefs.