A San Francisco lawmaker criticized Giants players for writing Bible verses on their caps during the organization's Pride Night, as MLB warned the team about the messages on Monday.
Matt Dorsey, a Democrat who represents District 6 and sits on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, wrote on social media that the event was “disappointing in several ways.” He authored a long thread on X about the ordeal.
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San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, on June 12, 2026. (John Hefti/Image Images)
“First of all, as a sports fan, I found it problematic indiscipline,” he began. “When you are a well-paid professional athlete, your uniform is not a canvas for individual self-expression, especially in politics, and I have observed over the years that championship-caliber teams never tolerate distractions like this.
“Secondly, as a person of faith, I will be the first to defend Bible verses and prayer as sources of inspiration and strength for many athletes; I have no problem with that. But it bothers me to see Biblical selection being used to score political points, on one occasion, and it is difficult to argue that this was anything else.”
Dorsey added that as a gay man, he was “disappointed” that a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community was still seen as “controversial.”
“Big cities with major league sports teams are inherently diverse, and if you don't feel comfortable celebrating in your uniform the wide range of heritage and pride nights of the communities that make up the city, maybe the big leagues aren't for you.”
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)
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Still, Dorsey didn't think the players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night cap were “bigoted.”
“All that said, I refuse to call what these athletes did bigoted or hateful, and I urge anyone offended or hurt by this episode to show them grace. The LGBTQ+ equality movement succeeds when we commit to winning hearts and minds, rather than shaming them,” he added.
MLB warned Giants players about Bible verses.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules and, consistent with normal practice, we have warned players of future violations,” MLB communications director Pat Courtney said in a statement, via The Athletic.
San Francisco pitcher Landen Roupp wrote “Gen 9:12-16” on his cap over the weekend and was asked about the decision.
“It's just God's covenant and a promise that he makes to us, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy,” Roupp told reporters. “That's something I believe in, and I stand by that, and I'm grateful that we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want… and express what we want.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello lifts starter Landen Roupp during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, on June 12, 2026. (John Hefti/Image Images)
“There's no hate at all. It's just what I stand for and what I stand for. I believe in God.”
Giants manager Tony Vitello also seemed to ignore the issue.
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“Not really. I mean, just kind of a general knowledge that individuals have the freedom to do what they think is best,” Vitello said. “But I think it's been evident from day one, in fact, even in some of the exhibition games, it's pretty impressive how the Giants, as an organization, try to embrace the entire community.”
Fox News' Ian Miller contributed to this report.
