DOJ referral, players revolt: 3 developments linked to baseball's pride controversy
2. GOP senator warns of 'pattern' of anti-Christian discrimination
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called on MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred to address concerns that the pride hat crackdown could signal what the senator called an “apparent pattern of discriminating against Christians while promoting left-wing ideologies.”
In a June 16 letter, Hawley voiced “grave concern” over Manfred’s warning to the trio of Giants players for “publicly expressing their Christian faith,” adding that the development comes less than a month after the Washington Nationals fired executive Sean Hudson for comments made about pitcher Trevor Williams for expressing his Catholic beliefs.
“You must answer for what appears to be a pattern of discrimination within MLB against baseball players who profess their Christian faith,” wrote Hawley, who also pointed out the league’s support in 2020 for players to add “Black Lives Matter” messaging to their uniforms.
“The freedom to live out one’s faith does not end at the ballpark gate. Americans of every creed are entitled to confidence that the institutions of our national pastime will not single out religious expression for punishment while celebrating messages of the league’s own choosing,” he added. “I trust the league shares that commitment, and I look forward to your prompt and complete response.”
