Sen. Josh Hawley Responds to MLB’s Admonishment of Players

On Tuesday, during his appearance on “The Will Cain Show” on Fox News Channel, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) reacted to a letter from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred regarding the league’s reprimand of Giants pitchers Landen Roop, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker for writing Bible verses on “Pride Knight” hats.

Hawley pointed out that Manfred had acknowledged MLB’s warning to players about inscribing Bible verses on their attire.

Will Cain posed a question, asking if that was akin to the league financially supporting the San Francisco Giants.

Hawley responded, “They seem to be conceding they were in the wrong, Will. The commissioner recognized in his letter that they shouldn’t have ‘warned’ the players—quotation marks or not—and that, indeed, players have the right to choose not to wear the uniform. It’s also their right to express their religious convictions. He stated, just as you’ve mentioned, that no player will ever face discipline or fines for their beliefs. Honestly, that doesn’t bother me. As long as he admits his mistake and the players’ religious freedoms are safeguarded, I think it’s a positive development, and I hope the First Amendment is upheld.”

Cain added, “It seems, Senator Hawley, that the Giants won’t be able to have their players wear Pride uniforms.”

Hawley confirmed, saying, “Exactly. That’s what the commissioner clarified to me. He stressed that no player on any team should don a uniform that sends such a political message. Moreover, discrimination based on religious beliefs is unacceptable. It should be straightforward, Will. The fact that it took all this—my needing to threaten to bring him before the Senate, the ongoing investigations—it’s utterly absurd.”

He continued, “It was foolish of MLB to act this way, but I’m pleased they’ve conceded their error. Let’s return to focusing on God and country, play some baseball, and step away from these overly progressive ideas.”