Giants Pitchers Write Genesis Verses on Pride Night Caps, Sparking MLB Warning and Political Backlash

Three San Francisco Giants pitchers altered their rainbow-themed Pride Night caps with references to Genesis 9:12-16 during the team's June 13, 2026, game against the Chicago Cubs, prompting a league-wide warning from Major League Baseball on uniform regulations. Landen Roupp started the game with “Gen 9:12-16” written on his cap, overlapping the rainbow “SF” logo, while relievers J.T. Brubaker and Ryan Walker also inscribed Bible verses; another pitcher, Sam Hentges, opted for the standard black cap. The cited passage describes the rainbow as a sign of God’s covenant with humanity after the flood, a text frequently referenced in debates over the symbol’s meaning. MLB stated that writing or displaying messages on uniforms violates league rules and issued warnings to the players, consistent with prior enforcement. California State Senator Scott Wiener, a prominent LGBTQ advocate, publicly criticized the action on the tenth anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, accusing the players of targeting Pride Night and calling on the Giants to enforce rules without exemptions. San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey, who is openly gay and identifies as a person of faith, described the incident as disappointing and undisciplined. The event drew national attention, including comments from Vice President JD Vance, and prompted the Giants to acknowledge that the players’ actions caused “pain and anger” within the community. Multiple outlets, including The Athletic, ABC7, Outsports, and the Associated Press, reported the incident and MLB response, highlighting tensions between religious expression and team-sponsored inclusion events. Pride Night also featured same-sex vow renewals, amid reports of declining attendance at such promotions in recent years.