Major League Baseball has decided to move the 2021 All-Star game out of Atlanta in protest to Georgia’s new voting law.
In a statement, MLB’s commissioner Rob Manfred said, “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 the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB Draft.”
Manfred went on to say MLB supports the rights of all voters in the United States and also said that despite the game not being played in Atlanta, the game will honor the memory of Hank Aaron. MLB also has plans to announce the location of the new city shortly.
Atlanta was picked as the host city due to its new stadium, Truist Park, opened in 2017.
The Atlanta Braves released a statement responding to MLB’s decision. It said, “The Atlanta Braves are deeply disappointed by the decision of Major League Baseball to move its 2021 All-Star Game. 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.”
In the statement, the Braves would say that the businesses, employees, and fans of MLB in Georgia are the victims in this decision.
River Gracey is a correspondent for The Augusta Press. Reach him at producers@theaugustapress.com
