MLB moves All-Star Game out of Atlanta
Major League Baseball will be moving this summer’s All-Star Game from Atlanta in response to the recent passage of Georgia’s sweeping voting law, following the calls of other businesses to protect voting access there and in other states.
The league’s decision to pull the game, the biggest prize MLB can award its cities, represents a decisive departure for a league that traditionally has been reluctant to involve itself in what it views as potentially polarizing political issues. The move follows a week in which executives from more than 170 companies joined the corporate push.
Supporters of the Georgia law say the changes it makes to the state’s voting system are necessary to bolster confidence in 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, something Democrats see as a direct response to the outcome of last November’s presidential and senatorial elections. Led by a large turnout of Black voters, who voted overwhelmingly for Joe Biden, the state voted for a Democrat in a presidential race for the first time in nearly two decades and eventually elected two Democrats to the Senate, too.
After trying to avoid taking sides in the political debate, corporations of all varieties have begun finding neutrality impossible, and this week has seen an avalanche of statements from executives, including Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey, who described the bill as “wrong” and “a step backward.”
Friday, MLB became the next entity to take a position.
“Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations with Clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and The Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views. I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
Georgia lawmakers and public figures channeled anger, disappointment and approval Friday in their responses to the announcement.
Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Ga., threatened the league’s antitrust exemption in his tweet.
“In light of @MLB’s stance to undermine election integrity laws, I have instructed my staff to begin drafting legislation to remove Major League Baseball’s federal antitrust exception,” he wrote.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
A Cubs 5, Pirates 1: Jake Arrieta pitched six solid innings in a triumphant return to the Cubs, Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward homered, and Chicago beat visiting Pittsburgh.
A Phillies 4, Braves 0: Zack Wheeler allowed only one hit and struck out 10 over seven innings and had two hits and two RBI at the plate, leading hostPhiladelphia over Atlanta.
A Reds 9, Cardinals 6: Nick Castellanos stood over, flexed and jawed at St. Louis pitcher Jake Woodford after scoring, setting off a series of scuffles that included relievers shoving in the outfield as host Cincinnati beat St. Louis.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
A Yankees 5, Blue Jays 3: Gary Sanchez joined Elston Howard in 1963 as the only Yankees catchers to homer in each of the first two games and Jay Bruce blooped a two-run single in the seventh for his first hit with his new team in New York’s win over visiting Toronto.
A Orioles 4, Red Sox 2: Maikel Franco drove in two runs after another Boston error, Pedro Severino had his second two-hit game in a row and Matt Harvey made his Orioles debut in Baltimore’s victory at Boston.
A Tigers 5, Indians 2: Julio Teheran pitched through trouble in his Detroit debut, and the host Tigers beat Cleveland.
A Royals 11, Rangers 6: Michael A. Taylor homered and drove in three runs for the second straight game, leading host Kansas City past Texas.
INTERLEAGUE
Astros 9, Athletics 1: Yordan Álvarez hit a three-run homer and Houston kept thriving through all the boos, slugging its way to a third straight win over host Oakland.
AELSEWHERE
A Angels: Reliever Ty Buttrey, 28, is retiring, saying he’s lost his affection for the game.