MLB pulls All-Star Game from Georgia in response to voting law.
Astros’ Dusty Baker proud of baseball’s ‘big and bold’ decision
ATLANTA — Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game will be moved out of Georgia in response to the state’s new voting law.
“I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating (the event),” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box.”
The push to move the game had gathered momentum after several large corporations condemned the voting law.
Astros manager Dusty Baker lauded the “big and bold” decision.
“My opinion is it’s a positive move by Major League Baseball to support voting rights,” Baker said. “That was a pretty big and bold move by baseball. I’m proud of the fact that they stood by the voting rights of people.”
Manfred made the decision eight days after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law an overhaul of elections that included mailvoting restrictions and more legislative control of elections.
Baker played for the Braves during the first eight years of his major league career, forming a lifelong friendship with Hank Aaron, the home run king who died earlier this year.
Remembering Aaron was set to be a focal point of Atlanta’s All-Star Game festivities and Major League Baseball said on Friday those plans will continue no matter where the game is held. Baker mused the game could be moved to Milwaukee, where Aaron ended his career, but the league had not officially revealed its plans as of Friday.
“This is what Hank would have liked, even if it was his town,” Baker said. “He always had the rights of the people in the forefront of his mind and in his heart.”
“I’m proud of Major League Baseball for the move they did, supporting voting rights,” added Baker, one of only two Black managers in baseball. “That was a pretty bold move that probably came as a surprise to a lot of people because baseball has a reputation of probably being one of the more conservative main sports there is. I’m proud of Major League Baseball and I’m sure that Hank is probably proud of the decision as well.”
Manfred’s announcement ended several years of planning by the Braves to host the All-Star Game and related activities.
The Braves said Friday they were “deeply disappointed” by MLB’s action.
“This was neither our decision nor our recommendation, and we are saddened that fans will not be able to see this event in our city,” the Braves said in a statement. “The Braves organization will continue to stress the importance of equal voting opportunities, and we had hoped our city could use this event as a platform to enhance the discussion.”
MLB is “finalizing a new host city” for the game, Manfred said.
Supporters of the law say the changes it makes to Georgia's voting system are necessary to bolster confidence in the state's elections. Opponents, including many high-profile activist groups, believe it will lead to longer lines, partisan control of elections and more difficult logistics for voters trying to cast their ballots by mail.
They believe the bill's objective is making voting more difficult for people of color.