DOJ Refers MLB to EEOC Over 3 Giants Pitchers' Pride Cap Dispute

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 25

The Justice Department has referred Major League Baseball to the EEOC to investigate whether the league's handling of a San Francisco Giants Pride Night cap dispute amounted to religious discrimination.
Three Giants pitchers — Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker — wrote Genesis 9 verses on rainbow-themed team caps, and MLB initially issued what Commissioner Rob Manfred called "routine warnings" for altering uniforms.
Manfred later said the players would not be punished, adding that the Giants' communication was "inadequate and not clear," leaving the pitchers with the impression the Pride gear was mandatory.
The referral escalates a culture-war fight that also drew a June 16 letter from Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, putting MLB's Pride Night policies and player opt-out rules under fresh federal scrutiny.