Giants pitchers react to DOJ probe over Pride protest: I dont think its discrimination

MIAMI — Neither Ryan Walker nor JT Brubaker said they felt discriminated against as Christians by Major League Baseball, the allegation posed Friday by the Department of Justice announcing a civil rights investigation into the league.“At the end of the day, I don’t think it’s discrimination,” Brubaker said.“It’s just people getting a hold of something and turning it into something.

I just wanted to put my message and my beliefs [out there], and that was the end of it.”Walker declined to comment on the specific question of religious persecution but explained that his decision to write a Bible verse, Genesis 9:12-16, on the side of his rainbow-colored cap the Giants wore for LGBTQ Pride Night had to do with internal, not external, pressure.“I wouldn’t say I was necessarily pressured by anybody, MLB or whatever,” Walker said.“I’m more so questioning myself and what does my faith mean to me? Like, I have my beliefs and my side.

What am I going to do to make sure I stand for my faith?”The Giants have worn the same caps for Pride since 2021 and got full participation from all their players, including Walker since his debut in 2023.“It’s been [something] I’ve wrestled with the last couple years I’ve been here,” Walker said.“Obviously I’ve worn it before.

This was a time where I had to reflect on that and not be fearful myself to stand for what I believe in.”Both players stressed in interviews with The California Post and San Francisco Chronicle before Friday’s series opener against the Marlins that they didn’t intend to spread hate.“I don’t have any hatred toward anyone,” Walker said.“I have gay friends.”They were also surprised to hear the latest step taken by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who wrote a public letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recommending that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigate the league for “unreasonably burdening the rights of players with religious o...