Senator Josh Hawley demands answers from MLB over ‘pattern of discrimination’ over warnings to Giants players
Major League Baseball has once again found itself in the middle of a controversy of its own making. And Sen. Josh Hawley wants answers.
Late last week, several pitchers from the San Francisco Giants made headlines at the team’s “Pride Night” game against the Chicago Cubs. Two of those players, including starting pitcher Landen Roupp, wrote Bible verses on their hats next to the Giants’ rainbow-colored logo. Another, Sam Hentges, didn’t wear it at all, opting instead to use a “normal” cap.
As one might expect, outrage from the left-wing sports media quickly followed. But it seemed that any “controversy” or criticism would end there. News came out on Monday night that the league office has issued a warning to the two players who wrote verses that if they continue to write they will be punished.
That decision was quickly reversed.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WARNS SAN FRANCISCO PLAYERS FOR WRITING BIBLE VERSES ON PRIDE NIGHT CLOTHES
Landen Roupp of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, on June 12, 2026. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
It’s no secret that MLB under Commissioner Rob Manfred tends to lean left. Like many sports leagues, there is concern and fear over the backlash from that side of the political spectrum, and it gets little attention from criticism from the right. That’s why Manfred canceled the 2021 All-Star Game in Atlanta after Joe Biden called the new ballot measure “Jim Crow 2.0.” Activism from Stacey Abrams sealed the deal, and the game was moved to Colorado.
But this decision invites scrutiny of the standards of this unit and whether those standards are applied differently based on the political views or religious beliefs of the players involved. The scrutiny now comes directly from the federal government.
On Tuesday, Sen. Hawley sent a letter to Manfred, seeking answers to what he called a “pattern of discrimination” within the league.
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“I am writing with deep concern about your reported decision to issue a formal warning to three Major League Baseball (MLB) players for publicly expressing their Christian faith. This follows an extensive investigation that revealed that at least one MLB team discriminated against a player based on his Catholic faith. You must respond to what appears to be a pattern of discrimination within MLB against baseball players who claim to be of the Christian faith,” the letter said.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello lifts starting pitcher Landen Roupp during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on June 12, 2026. (Photos by John Hefti/Imagn)
Hawley also explained that the warning given to these Giants players seems to contradict their past use, or lack thereof, when it comes to the speech in another way.
“The saying of this unit that it prohibits “writing of any kind” on its uniform does not succeed in reviewing the recent history of this unit,” he continued. “In 2020, MLB itself turned its uniforms and stadiums into a political and social message board. It created jersey banners that read ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘United for Change.’ It has been authorized by the ‘BLM’ to be stuffed into the fill mounds. And it has set up its own mechanical rules so that players can display progressive political slogans on their cases. “
Hawley then went on to ask for “a full copy of the same rule” the league used to caution Giants players, as well as “a list of all instances” in which other players were cautioned or disciplined under that policy over the past five seasons. Importantly, he also asks Manfred to provide “any policy, guidance, or expectation” regarding whether players are “required, encouraged, or expected to wear uniforms or hats on Pride Night”, and any possible consequences they may face for refusing to comply.
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Sen. Hawley also told Fox News Digital exclusively that he believes the league is “using its power” to “target Christians.”
“MLB has a sweet deal from the federal government,” he said. “They play by different rules than any other business in America. But now MLB is using its power to target Christians and trample on free speech. It’s anti-American. And MLB needs to fix it fast.”
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San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp throws to a Chicago Cubs batter during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Calif., on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Scott Marshall/AP)
There are measures that the department could have taken to prevent this conflict. But they have chosen, apparently, to impose a choice based on the statements made. Would they have warned the player by writing “BLM” on their hat? Or “love is love” or “end racism,” or any similar comment? Or do Bible verses draw the line?
Manfred’s response, assuming he actually provides some detail, will be an interesting insight into how committed the league is to elevating one viewpoint over others.
