In response to concerns a Georgia voting law disproportionately impacts people of color, Major League Baseball made the decision to move the 2021 All-Star Game and this year’s Draft out of Atlanta.
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement at the time. “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.”
MLB has since decided to move the 2021 All-Star Game to Coors Field. The Colorado Rockies already were in the bidding process to host a future All-Star Game. The Rockies supplied a detailed plan for hotel, event space and security, and MLB staff had already made several site visits to Denver.
“Major League Baseball is grateful to the Rockies, the City of Denver and the State of Colorado for their support of this summer’s All-Star Game,” Manfred said in a statement. “We appreciate their flexibility and enthusiasm to deliver a first-class event for our game and the region. We look forward to celebrating our sport’s best players and entertaining fans around the world.”
Coors Field last was the site of a Midsummer Classic in 1998, when the American League won 13-8 in the highest-scoring All-Star Game. It still stands as the Rockies’ only time hosting the league’s annual exhibition event.
That year’s Home Run Derby field comprised of Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome, Vinny Castilla, Rafael Palmeiro, Moises Alou, Javy Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Damion Easley and Chipper Jones.
The Dodgers remain on track to host the 2022 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium as a makeup for last year’s event being cancelled due the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and condensed schedule.
Roberts proud of MLB for taking action with All-Star Game
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been among those to voice his support of MLB taking a stand and action with this year’s All-Star Game.
“For the commissioner to kind of do his due diligence in baseball, outside of baseball, with players, front office, and ultimately make a decision to remove the All-Star Game and Draft out of the state of Georgia, I support,” he said.
“I also applaud the fact we’re still planning on committing the dollars to the communities in the greater Atlanta area, which I think is great. Because I think the fans are the ones that unfortunately are losing out.”
The Dodgers open the second half of their schedule with a three-game series at Coors Field, beginning Friday, July 16.
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