Major League Baseball issued a warning to three pitchers for the San Francisco Giants who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps against the Chicago Cubs.
San Francisco starter Landen Roupp started the night with “Gen 9:12-16” written on his cap.
Relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker also cited Bible verses on their caps.
According to the Associated Press, another Giants pitcher, Sam Hentges, wore the team’s standard black cap with the orange logo instead of the Pride Night cap.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations,” MLB said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.
From @TheAthletic: After three San Francisco Giants pitchers appeared in Friday’s game with Bible verses written on their Pride Night caps, Major League Baseball issued a warning that similar behavior will not be tolerated. https://t.co/82Dh8pYDxU
— The New York Times (@nytimes) June 16, 2026
More from the Associated Press:
The league issued another statement Tuesday to elaborate.
“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,” MLB said.
“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.”
MLB teams sometimes host Pride Nights during the regular season to support their LGBTQ+ fans. The league has been a leader among the four major U.S. pro sports in hosting Pride Nights, in part because its regular season overlaps with Pride Month in June. Many adopt rainbow-colored uniforms patches or logos, set up special signage around ballparks and invite guests including community leaders and drag performers.
“It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy,” Roupp said.
“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,” he added.
Watch below:
Landen Roupp had Genesis 9:12-16 written on his pride hat tonight.
“It’s just about God’s covenant and a promise that he makes to us.”
“It’s just something I believe in and I stand firm in that. Thankfully we live in a country where we have the freedom to believe what we want.” pic.twitter.com/asu2tdEW1x
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 13, 2026
Sports Illustrated shared further:
The verse in the Bible which Roupp wore on his hat, Genesis 9:12-16, reads: “And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’”
Roupp pitched 4 2/3 innings in the Giants’ loss to the Cubs. He surrendered four runs, four hits and two walks while striking out five.
Reporters asked Giants manager Tony Vitello if he’d discussed the situation with the pitchers prior to the game.
“Not really. I mean, just kind of a general knowledge of the individuals have the freedom to do what they think is best. But I do think it’s been apparent from day one, actually, even some of the exhibition games, it’s pretty impressive how the Giants, as an organization, try and embrace the entire community,” Vitello said, via The Athletic.
The Giants issued a statement about the situation on Saturday, via the San Francisco Standard, saying:
“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.”
