MLB decries use of personal writings on Pride Night hats - ESPN

Major League Baseball on Monday decried the use of personal writings on any team-issued Pride Night hats, after members of the San Francisco Giants had Bible verses etched into their caps during Friday night's game against the Chicago Cubs.

In a statement to multiple outlets, MLB chief communications officer Pat Courtney said «the writing on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with normal practice, we have warned the players about future violations.»

San Francisco's Landen Roupp, a 27-year-old right-hander from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, started and pitched 4 2/3 innings with «Gen 9:12-16» on the front of his hat. Roupp spoke to reporters after the 5-1 loss about his decision, and he was adamant that «there's no hate at all. It's just what I stand for, and what I stand on: I believe in God.»

«It's just about God's covenant and a promise that he makes to us that, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy. That's just kind of something I believe in, and I stand firm in that,» he added. «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.»

JT Brubaker, a 32-year-old righty from Springfield, Ohio, and Ryan Walker, a 30-year-old righty from Arlington, Washington, both made relief appearances in the loss with Bible verses on their hats.

When asked how he'd explain to people who might be offended by his decision, Roupp added that «as a believer, I would push them to read the Bible. God has blessed me in so many ways, and I don't think I'd be here right now if it wasn't for him.»

In his first season as an MLB manager, San Francisco's Tony Vitello, when asked about his pitchers' decisions after the loss, leaned on the «general knowledge of the