In the Midst of Pride Month, MLB Draws Controversial Fire From Congressman Chip Roy

When three San Francisco Giants pitchers wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps, becoming controversial in the league, Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) had a message for Major League Baseball: the warning goes both ways.

During Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs, the Giants pitchers took the mound with something extra on their caps: Bible verses written in white lettering. Starting pitcher Landen Roupp wore "Gen 9:12-16" on his hat, a reference to Genesis 9:12-16, the passage describing God's covenant with Noah, symbolized by a rainbow.

Relief pitchers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker did the same. A fourth pitcher, Sam Hentges, skipped the Pride Night cap altogether, wearing the team's standard black and orange hat instead.

Major League Baseball didn't let it slide. The league's chief communications officer Pat Courtney confirmed that the writing violated league rules and that the players had been warned that similar behavior would not be tolerated going forward.

Roupp addressed the decision after the game, saying it was a matter of personal faith. "It's just about God's covenant and a promise that he makes to us, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy," he 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 … and express what we want."

Leagues Statement

The Giants released a statement Saturday acknowledging the pain the situation caused:

"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."

That's when Roy entered the conversation.

The Texas congressman fired off a post on X directed squarely at MLB, writing: "More bible verses… less Marxism. The warning goes both ways."

His message resonated quickly online, amplifying what was already becoming a flashpoint over religious expression and league authority.

As of now, the debate shows no signs of slowing down amid Pride Month.