After years of growth and momentum as a result of rule changes to speed up pace of play and increase the amount of action on the field, ratings have surged and attendance continues to improve.But despite the obvious positives, the league seems to be committed to alienating as many fans as possible by allowing overt political messages.
Always slanted in one direction, of course.The latest incident involves the San Francisco Giants, who held their annual "Pride Night" celebration earlier in June.Several players engaged in a form of protest by writing Bible verses on their hats, specifically referencing a verse from Genesis that discusses the rainbow representing God's covenant.
Only one player, reliever Sam Hentges, wore the traditional hat without the rainbow logo.Then, the league made things worse by issuing an official warning to the players who wrote the verses.Essentially implying that they would treat these specific messages differently than other similar incidents in the past.MLB COMMISSIONER TELLS SEN.
HAWLEY GIANTS PLAYERS WON’T BE DISCIPLINED OVER BIBLE VERSES ON PRIDE NIGHT HATSThe San Francisco Giants Pride Night logo is displayed during an event in San Francisco, Calif.Reactions were swift.
The Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Harmeet Dhillon announced that she'd referred the league's warning to the EEOC for a potential investigation.The attorney general of Florida, James Uthmeier, announced his own investigation.
And Republican Sen.Josh Hawley from Missouri sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred demanding answers.Manfred, surprisingly, responded.Initially, many believed the league's answer was a sort of "victory," with Manfred and the league saying these players would not be subject to discipline for writing Bible verses and that it was a "routine oral warning" without attached punishment.
But a closer reading of Manfred's answer indicates that Major League Baseball has always and will continue to privilege certain viewpoints o...