Key facts
- The Justice Department is investigating Major League Baseball for potential religious discrimination.
- The probe stems from warnings given to three Giants pitchers for wearing Bible verses on their hats during a Pride Night game.
- MLB stated the warnings were for violating uniform rules, not the content of the messages.
- Critics, including Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, allege a double standard in enforcement.
- The case has also been referred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Florida's Attorney General is conducting a parallel state-level investigation.
The Justice Department announced on Thursday that it is opening an investigation into whether Major League Baseball (MLB) engaged in religious discrimination. This action follows warnings issued to three San Francisco Giants players for wearing caps with Bible verses during a Pride Night game.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, leading the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, stated on social media that MLB "reportedly threatened Christians who write Bible verses on their hats," while also encouraging "Black Lives Matter" messages. The controversy involves pitchers Landen Roupp, JT Brubaker, and Ryan Walker, who wore rainbow-logo hats with Bible verses. Another pitcher, Sam Hentges, opted not to wear an altered hat due to his religious beliefs and was not warned.
MLB issued a statement clarifying that the warnings were for violating rules against modifying uniforms without pre-approval, citing past similar warnings for messages like "Happy Mother’s Day." However, Dhillon argued in a letter to Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. that this enforcement created a "double standard" compared to the league's handling of "Black Lives Matter" patches. She noted the matter was referred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also announced a state-level probe, alleging a "pattern or practice" of selective enforcement and possible religious discrimination by MLB. He stated that the league appears to favor certain ideological beliefs while targeting players who express religious views it dislikes.