Major League Baseball has issued a warning to players after San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp and two other pitchers wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps during a game against the Chicago Cubs.
Incident Details
Roupp started the 5-1 loss on Friday night with the inscription “Gen 9:12-16” on his cap, partially overlapping the rainbow SF logo worn for Pride Night. Relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker also added Bible verses to their caps. Another Giants pitcher, left-hander Sam Hentges, chose to wear the team’s standard black cap with the orange logo instead of the Pride Night version.
MLB's Response
MLB stated that the writing on the caps violates league uniform rules and warned the players about future violations. “The writing on the cap violates our rules and consistent with normal practice we have warned the players about future violations,” the league said.
Player's Explanation
The Genesis verse cited by Roupp references God’s promise to never again send a worldwide flood, with the rainbow as a sign of that covenant. Roupp explained, “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.”
Manager's Comment
Giants manager Tony Vitello told reporters that no discussions were held with the pitchers before the game, noting it was “just kind of a general knowledge” that players “have the freedom to do what they think is best.”
