2 Dodgers Stand Apart on Pride Night, Declining to Wear Rainbow Hats

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When their teammates donned rainbow-themed hats celebrating Pride Night, two Los Angeles Dodgers players declined to conform.

The Dodgers held their annual Pride Night on June 5, an event promoted as a celebration of the “vibrant culture and traditions of the LGBTQ+ community” that extended from pregame festivities to on-field uniforms.

This year's festivities included a pregame tribute to Billy Bean and Glenn Burke, two former Dodgers who identified as gay. The Dodgers even installed a permanent display in the Center Field plaza with pictures and memorabilia from the duo’s careers.

As part of the festivities, Dodgers players were given commemorative Pride Night caps displaying the club's signature “LA” logo in rainbow colors.

But at least two players refused to wear the hats, according to Outkick. Those players were pitcher Blake Treinen and outfielder Alex Call, two outspoken Christians who stood apart from their teammates on Pride Night.

Both players appeared in the game that night, with Treinen making the biggest impact by pitching the final out of the ninth inning and earning the win. He improved to 3-1 on the season.

The Dodgers defeated the crosstown Los Angeles Angels, 1-0.

Outkick's Jon Root applauded Treinen, who has drawn the most attention because of both his decision and his success on the mound.

Last night the Los Angeles Dodgers had their pride night as every player was wearing pride hats.

Blake Treinen was not wearing a pride hat when he entered the ballgame. pic.twitter.com/JMeEKBMJPu

 

— js9innings (@js9inningsmedia) June 6, 2026

“As a Christian, I wholeheartedly support Treinen’s decision, and I believe this is what every Christian athlete should be doing in these situations,” Root wrote. “No, that of course does not mean Treinen, nor any other athlete ‘hates’ or has any sort of ill wishes for LGBTQ-identifying fans or people. It just means that they are standing firm in their faith, which does not align with the modern sexual ethic of transgenderism, homosexuality, bisexuality, non-binary identification, etc. Just as I wouldn’t expect a non-Christian athlete to wear a hat with a cross on it if there was a Christian Night in Major League Baseball.”

Root noted that the NHL ended the use of Pride-themed warmup jerseys after several players declined to wear them, citing religious and personal convictions.

“The controversy created a difficult situation for everyone involved and ultimately contributed to the NHL's decision to discontinue specialty warmup jerseys,” Root wrote. “While the league later reversed course on its ban of Pride tape, MLB should consider a similar approach when it comes to Pride-themed jerseys and hats, allowing players to opt out without controversy or pressure.”

Pride Nights have become commonplace across Major League Baseball, with 29 of the league's 30 teams hosting LGBTQ-themed celebrations this year, according to OutSports. The Texas Rangers are the lone exception.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Harry How/Staff

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

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