Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced Friday the MLB is moving the 2021 All Star Game and Draft from Atlanta in response to the new voting integrity law passed in Georgia last month. The All Star Game was set to be hosted by the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park stadium on July 13. The draft was to be held in Atlanta July 11-13.
Joe Biden told ESPN on Wednesday he “would strongly support” MLB moving the game, calling the Georgia law “Jim Crow on steroids”.
The logo for the 2021 game was announced last September.
https://twitter.com/AllStarGame/status/1309295884044304385
“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.
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box. 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.
“We will continue with our plans to celebrate the memory of Hank Aaron during this season’s All-Star festivities. In addition, MLB’s planned investments to support local communities in Atlanta as part of our All-Star Legacy Projects will move forward. We are finalizing a new host city and details about these events will be announced shortly.”
Biden interview:
Biden in ESPN interview says he would strongly support MLB relocating the all-star game from Atlanta over the Georgia law.pic.twitter.com/xGBzsFoD6e
— Christopher Cadelago (@ccadelago) April 1, 2021
