In response to recent Georgia State moves to change election regulations, Major League Baseball has decided to move the 2021 All-Star Game and Player Draft out of Atlanta for the first year this year. The game was originally scheduled for July 13th at Truves Park der Braves.
Commissioner Rob Manfred released the following statement in the league on Friday, saying the move is the “best way to demonstrate our values as a sport”. Here is the full statement from Manfred:
“Over the past week we’ve had thoughtful conversations with clubs, past and current players, the Players Association and the Players Alliance, among others, to hear their views. I’ve decided this is the best way to express our values as a to demonstrate.” One sport is relocating this year’s all-star game and MLB draft.
Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes ballot box restrictions. In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the non-partisan Civic Alliance to build a future in which everyone will be involved in shaping the United States We are proud to have used our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities in our country to fulfill their civic duties and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to be steadfastly supported by our game.
“We will continue our plans to celebrate the memory of Hank Aaron during this season’s All-Star Celebrations. In addition, MLB will continue to invest in supporting local communities in Atlanta as part of our All-Star Legacy Projects. We are close to finalizing A New Host City and details of these events will be announced shortly. “
As Manfred says, a new host city has not yet been determined. According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the new host will not be Los Angeles, which is due to host the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in 2022.
President Biden recently announced his support for such a decision from MLB. Earlier, Tony Clark, director of the Players Association, may have predicted such a move when he told the Boston Globe that the union organization was “very aware” of the situation in Georgia and the possible look of holding the all-star game in the state. be. The Players Alliance, which works to increase black participation in baseball at all levels, has issued a statement in support of MLB’s decision.
On the other side of the problem are the Atlanta Braves, who were supposed to be the host team for the game. They released the following statement in response to MLB’s decision to pull the game out of Georgia, saying they were “deeply disappointed”.
The bill, recently signed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, “introduces new restrictions on postal voting and gives lawmakers greater control over how elections are conducted,” according to CBS News. It has been rejected by both Democrats and constituencies who believe the law “disproportionately disenfranchises color voters.”
Governor Kemp and Georgia House spokesman David Ralston issued statements expressing their opposition to MLB’s decision. Kemp said:
“Today Major League Baseball has given in to fear, political opportunism, and liberal lies. Georgians – and all Americans – should fully understand what the MLB’s decision means: breaking culture and awakening political activists who come for every aspect of life, sports Including. If the left doesn’t agree with you, the facts and the truth don’t matter.
“This attack on our state is the direct result of repeated lies by Joe Biden and Stacey Abrams about a bill that will expand ballot box access and ensure the integrity of our elections. I will not back down. Georgians will not be bullied. We I will continue myself advocate for safe, accessible and fair elections. I spoke to the Atlanta Braves leadership today, and they told me they did not support the MLB’s decision. ”
Abrams, a former Georgia House member and gubernatorial candidate who is now a voting rights activist, released her own statement. It reads in part:
“Republicans who passed and defended Senate Bill 202 knew the economic risks to our state. They made a point of making it harder for people of color to vote on the economic well-being of all Georgians.
“Like many Georgians, I am disappointed that MLB is relocating the All-Star game. However, I recommend the players, owners and the League Commissioner to speak out. I urge others in leadership positions to do the same. Like I.” I respect boycotts, although I don’t want families in Georgia to be hurt by lost events and jobs. Georgians affected by electoral repression are hurt when opportunities go to other states. We should not abandon the victims of GOP malice and lies. we have to stick together.
“Georgia Republicans must forego the terrible damage they have done to our electoral system and the damage they have done to our economy. Our corporate community must step aside as full partners in this struggle and recognize that the regulations SB 202 does not extend voting rights. They limit those rights and affect employees and consumers alike. Leaders must publicly support the voting rights provisions of the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to avoid the harm in Georgia and other states to mitigate.
“As other events, productions, and companies weigh up whether to patronize Georgia, I urge those who can come and speak up, and I urge those who are here to stay and fight, stay and We need you. “
MLB had previously been pressured to move the 2011 All-Star Game from Phoenix in response to the state’s immigration policy, but then Commissioner Bud Selig chose not to do so. More recently, the 2017 NBA moved its North Carolina all-star game to respond to laws targeting members of the LGBTQIA + community.