Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced an investigative subpoena into Major League Baseball (MLB) over allegations the league engaged in religious discrimination over their uniform rules after three San Francisco Giant players wrote Bible verses on their caps during “Pride Night" earlier this month.
“Major League Baseball claims it does not tolerate discrimination based on religion, yet its actions tell a different story,” Uthmeier said in a press release. “If MLB applauds ideological messages it prefers while reprimanding expressions of Christian faith, that is not neutral rule enforcement—it is religious discrimination that cannot stand in Florida.”
Attorney General Uthmeier's subpoena comes after pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker wrote Genesis 9:12-16 on their Giants caps during the team's annual Pride Night game against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Genesis 9:12-16 is a biblical verse referencing "God’s covenant with humanity and the rainbow as its sign," according to the attorney general's release.
Roupp, Brubaker, and Walker were subsequently issued a warning by MLB for violating uniform regulations on apparel or equipment by writing the verse, which the league says goes against its rules “regardless of the message” and that its warning was “consistent with normal practice."
But has the league's rule always been followed?
In 2020, MLB allowed "Black Lives Matter" (BLM) and "United For Change" messaging on jersey sleeves. The league also allowed teams to stencil an inverted BLM logo to support the Black Lives Matter movement behind the pitcher's mound during games, and OK'd players wearing BLM t-shirts during batting practice, along with other messaging on cleats.
Given the discrepancy, Attorney General Uthmeier has requested the following from the MLB on its uniform policy.
- All uniform and equipment rules, interpretive guidance, and the specific provisions cited for the June 2026 warnings.
- Warnings and disciplinary actions over markings versus instances of no enforcement of messaging since 2020, including "social justice" expressions.
- Documents of approvals or relaxation of rules, such as for BLM patches, including distinguishes from religious messaging.
- Pride Night policies, and consequences for players not participating, including religious expression.
- Deliberations on the June 2026 warnings, including complaints received.
- Any instances involving the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, and fifteen Grapefruit League clubs across Florida.
Uthmeier's letter to MLB can be found here.
