In response to a controversial new Georgia voting law, Major League Baseball announced they were moving the 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta and also relocating this year’s Draft.
The decision came on the heels of several major companies speaking out against the new law. Critics say the bill will suppress voting for people of color.
“I support it. Obviously, I’m not completely versed on everything, but I do understand — and my takeaway from the bill – was essentially to suppress voting for people of color,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said.
“With that, that’s something I fundamentally, intrinsically disagree with. 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.
“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.”
Roberts is one of only two Black managers in MLB. Had MLB kept the All-Star Game in Atlanta, he admitted there would have been some consideration to not managing the National League.
“I was waiting to see and just get more information on the bill itself and get more context,” Roberts said. “When I was first presented the question, I felt it was responsible to say I would consider it.”
Roberts was pleasantly surprised MLB made the decision to relocate the exhibition game as soon as they did. “I think Major League Baseball does a really good job of kind of vetting to see all sides to ultimately make a decision,” he said.
“I applaud them for being proactive in this case.”
MLB moves 2021 All-Star Game to Coors Field/h2>
Shortly after taking the 2021 All-Star Game away from the Braves, MLB announced the Colorado Rockies and Coors Field as the new host. It’s only their second time hosting the Midsummer Classic, with the first instance coming in 1998.
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