pride in baseball

Back In 1994, the San Francisco Giants became the first professional sports team to support and recognize HIV/AIDS by partnering with the Until There's A Cure Foundation and hosting a special game. They continue to do this year after year, and I have been so proud of the Giants organization for this. That was one of the first known LGBTQ-supportive nights in professional baseball, but it was a number of years later that the first Pride game took place.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were actually the first baseball team to host a Pride game and since then it has spread throughout Major League Baseball, with one exception. The Texas Rangers remain the lone team out of the 30 MLB franchises to not hold a Pride Game.

I mention this today though with disgust. I had intended to say wonderful things about The San Francisco Giants this morning and how I have always been proud of their support of their LGBTQ+ fans. As you may have already heard, there were some issues last night. The Giants hosted this year's Pride Night at Oracle Park yesterday, and four of their five pitchers chose to add biblical verses to their rainbow Pride hats or not wear one at all.

For me, it isn't just the Bible verses, but also the comments that were made by the players. The lack of action so far by the team management and by Major League Baseball also bothers me. This was a good wholesome baseball game. They were not turning Oracle Park into a huge sex orgy. There should have been nothing to object to. What we got last night was yet another reason why Pride is important.