Almost everyone seemed to be thinking about the polarizing Pride Night at Oracle Park last week. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is the latest public figure to criticize four Giants pitchers who protested the team’s annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Ryan Walker, Landen Robb, JT Brubaker, and Sam Hentges sparked an outcry among San Franciscans as well as other Pride Night supporters. Walker chose to wear a standard Giants hat instead of the event’s special hat, which features the team’s rainbow logo.
The final three added a Bible verse to their hats on Pride Night to demonstrate their religious beliefs.
Laurie revealed that he was “really upset and disappointed” by their decision.
“That’s why we need pride. We need to lean in and continue to educate people, even here in San Francisco.” Laurie said. “It was a tough night, but we have to learn from it.”
He’s not the first to call out Giants hurlers. And Lowry likely won’t be the last.
Longtime Giants voice Mike Crocco believes players should have been more aware of the city’s strong beliefs and ties to the LGBTQ+ community.
“I think when you’re a player and you come into this environment, it’s your responsibility to know how sensitive this city is in terms of cultural freedom and religious freedom, and the way you live your life,” Crocco said on KNBR.
“And I think they were in for a rude awakening because of the response, and it was not just from the gay community, it was from the Northern California community that supports the gay community.”
The four Giants pitchers were also reprimanded by Major League Baseball, not for their beliefs but for violating the uniform rules.
“The writing on the cap violates our rules and is consistent with standard practice. We have warned players against future violations.” MLB said In a preliminary statement.
He added: “To be clear, this routine verbal warning not to wear a hat in future matches is not disciplinary and has absolutely nothing to do with the content of the letter.” MLB He added in an additional statement. “We respect players’ right to freedom of expression. However, writing of any kind, with any message, is prohibited.”
While Giants players have been criticized in the court of public opinion, they have not issued an apology for their decision. Rather, the group remained steadfast in their beliefs and words.
Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will investigate the report that MLB warned Giants players after they displayed Bible verses on their hats.