Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred replied this week to a letter from U.S. Senator Josh Hawley regarding an oral warning given to three San Francisco Giants pitchers. The warning followed the players writing Bible verses on their Pride Night caps. No players were fined or disciplined.
Manfred wrote that the league enforces its uniform policy without regard to message content. The rule, negotiated with the MLB Players Association, prohibits players from displaying any messages on apparel or equipment during games.
The policy aims to prevent players from becoming messengers on political or social issues while in uniform, Manfred stated. He noted that Pride Nights are organized by individual clubs rather than the league and that the Giants players were permitted to wear the altered hats throughout the game.
Hawley had asserted a pattern of discrimination against Christian players. In his June 16, 2026 letter, the senator questioned MLB's handling of the incident involving pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker.
Manfred explained that the oral warning was routine and issued before the league learned of inadequate communication between the Giants and players about optional participation. The commissioner affirmed MLB's support for both players' religious expression and club celebrations of fan communities.
