San Francisco lawyer criticizes Bible quotes for ‘cherry-picking’ players amid Giants controversy
A San Francisco lawyer criticized Giants players for writing Bible verses on their caps during the organization’s Pride Night as MLB warned the team about the messages on Monday.
Matt Dorsey, a Democrat who represents District 6 and sits on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, wrote on social media that the event was “disappointing in many ways.” He wrote a long thread on X about grief.
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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on June 12, 2026. (Photos by John Hefti/Imagn)
“First of all, as a sports fan, it struck me as a misunderstanding,” he began. “When you’re a professional professional athlete, your uniform is not something to be exposed to – especially politically – and it’s been something I’ve seen over the years that high-level teams don’t tolerate distractions like this.
“Secondly, as a person of faith, I will be the first to defend Bible verses and prayer as sources of inspiration and strength for many athletes – I have no problem with that. But it bothers me to see the cherry-picking of the Bible being used to score political points, at the same time, and it’s hard to argue that this was anything other than that.”
Dorsey added that, as a gay man, he is “disappointed” that the symbol of the LGBTQ+ community is still seen as “controversial.”
“Big cities with big league teams are inherently diverse, and if you’re not comfortable celebrating a wide array of heritage and a night of pride in the communities that make up the city with your uniform, maybe the big leagues aren’t for you.”
Landen Roupp of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, on June 12, 2026. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Still, Dorsey didn’t think the players who wrote Bible verses on their Pride Night caps were “shameful.”
“All that being said, I refuse to call what these athletes did big or hateful – and I will urge all those who were offended or hurt by this episode to show them mercy. The LGBTQ + equality movement succeeds when we commit to winning hearts and minds, rather than shaming them,” he added.
MLB warned Giants players about Bible verses.
“What is written on the cap violates our rules, and consistent with standard practice, we have warned the players against future violations,” MLB communications officer Pat Courtney said in a statement, via The Athletic.
San Francisco pitcher Landen Roupp wrote “Gen 9:12-16” on his cap over the weekend and was asked about the decision.
“It’s about God’s covenant and his promise to us, you know, his faithfulness and his mercy,” Roupp told reporters. “That’s just the kind of thing I believe in, and I stand by that, and I’m thankful that we live in a country where, you know, we have the freedom to believe what we want … and express what we want.
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello lifts starting pitcher Landen Roupp during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on June 12, 2026. (Photos by John Hefti/Imagn)
“There is no hatred at all. This is what I stand for, and what I stand for. I believe in God.”
Giants manager Tony Vitello also appeared to dismiss the story.
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“It’s not. I mean, it’s just kind of common knowledge that individuals have the freedom to do what they think is best,” said Vitello. “But I think it’s been evident since day one, really, even in some of the exhibition games, it’s amazing how the Giants, as an organization, try to embrace the whole community.”
Fox News’ Ian Miller contributed to this report.
