MLB Moves All-Star Game from Georgia to Colorado due to Voting Laws
In a surprising announcement heralded by many and criticized by others, the 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game, planned to take place in Georgia, will now be played in Colorado at Coors Field. In a strong reaction to the new, highly criticized voting laws in Georgia, the MLB announced a venue change.
Major League Baseball's 2021 All-Star Game will be played in Colorado's Coors Field and not Atlanta. The league says it canceled Atlanta's plans to host baseball's midseason epic game due to the restrictive new voting laws in the state.
The change came in response to Georgia's controversial new voting law, S.B. 202, which the MLB says is against its values.
The new voting laws in the Peach State have come under fierce fire, with protestors saying the new, restrictive voting laws will hamper minority communities.
Simultaneously, supporters of the legislation say the controversial new law expands early voting access for some voters.
The MLB acted swiftly to pull the All-Star Game from Georgia.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a carefully worded statement that the voting restrictions do not offer "fair access" to minority Georgia residents.
"Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box," Manfred said. "In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the non-partisan Civic Alliance to help build a future in which everyone participates in shaping the United States. We proudly used our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities throughout our country to perform their civic duty and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to have our game's unwavering support."
Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp disagreed and said he believes the MLB is a victim of "cancel culture" and was swayed by "activists."
In an interview on Fox News, Kemp said, "I mean, it's insane...you compare where Major League Baseball is headquartered in New York, you know. I talked to that issue...about the discrepancies in how they're boycotting and pulling games out of a state like ours. Yet they're headquartered in a state that's more restrictive than we are. I mean, It just doesn't add up. And I will tell you, the people here and all over the country have figured this out. They are outraged, and they are sick and tired of the cancel culture."
The sweeping voter law changes in Georgia include making it illegal to offer water to voters waiting in line. The new legislation allows Georgia state officials, elected officials, to take over local election offices.
The new law also makes it harder to vote, with specific strict new ID requirements for absentee ballots and limited access for ballot drop-off voting boxes.
President Joe Biden said the law is "a blatant attack on the Constitution and good conscience (and will) effectively deny the right to vote to countless voters."
MLB celebrities are weighing in on social media.
The Marlins manager and famous baseball player Derek Jeter said in a statement that he is proud of the MLB for their decision to move the game from Georgia to Colorado.
"The act of participating in our country's election process is our civic responsibility and instrumental to our country's foundation," Jeter noted. "We should promote increasing voter turnout as opposed to any measures that adversely impact the ability to cast a ballot. In November, the Marlins proudly set out to promote the vote with our Election Day Feed the Polls initiative, providing voters' meals as our local election officials conducted free and fair elections. We support the Commissioner's decision to stand up for the values of our game and not hold this year's All-Star Game in the state of Georgia."
Dusty Baker, who began his baseball career in Atlanta, agreed with the MLB's decision and referenced Georgian Hank Aaron in his statement.
"My opinion is it's a positive move by Major League Baseball to support voting rights,” said Baker. "That was a pretty big and bold move by baseball, and I'm proud of the fact they stood by the voting rights of people. This is what Hank would have liked. Even though [the 2021 All-Star Game] was in his town, he always had the rights of the people in the forefront of his mind and his heart."
In Atlanta, however, the Atlanta Braves published a social post expressing their disappointment in the decision.
"This was neither our decision nor our recommendation, and we are sad that fans will not be able to see this event in our city," the statement read. "The Braves 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."
Global businesses with headquarters in Georgia, including Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola, have also sided with the MLB decision.
The All-Star Game will be held in the Colorado Coors Field on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.
