Exclusive | San Francisco Archdiocese breaks silence on Giants Pride drama

The Archdiocese of San Francisco is defending the right of Giants players to publicly express their Christian faith after several pitchers found themselves at the center of a national controversy stemming from the team’s annual Pride Night celebration.In exclusive comments provided to The California Post, the Archdiocese of San Francisco’s spokesman, Peter Marlow, said the debate surrounding Giants pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, Ryan Walker and Sam Hentges presents a larger conversation about religious expression in public life.“The Archdiocese of San Francisco believes that people of faith should not be compelled to hide or suppress their sincerely held religious convictions in public life, including in the world of professional sports,” Marlow said.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story The controversy began during the Giants’ Pride Night game against the Chicago Cubs when Roupp, Brubaker and Walker wrote “Gen 9:12-16” on their rainbow-themed caps.The Bible passage references God’s covenant with Noah and describes the rainbow as a sign of that promise.Hentges declined to wear the Pride Night cap altogether, opting instead for the Giants’ standard black-and-orange cap.Afterward, Roupp emphasized there was “no hate at all” behind the gesture.“It’s just what I stand for,” Roupp said.

“I believe in God.”The reaction quickly extended beyond baseball.Major League Baseball issued warnings to the players for violating uniform regulations that prohibit writing messages on equipment, though the league stressed the warning “had absolutely nothing to do with the content of the message.”The incident also drew national political attention.

Sen.Josh Hawley demanded answers from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Vice Presid...