DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Texas Governor Greg Abbott will no longer throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Rangers home opener over Major League Baseball's decision to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta in response to Georgia's new election integrity laws.
"Thank you for the invitation to throw out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers' home opening game. I was looking forward to it - until Major League Baseball adopted what has turned out to be a false narrative about the election law reforms in Georgia, and, based on that false narrative, moved the MLB All-Star game from Atlanta," Abbott said in a statement Monday. "It is shameful that America’s pastime is not only being influenced by partisan political politics, but also perpetuating false political narratives.
"The state of Texas was proud to help MLB host last season's National League playoff games and the World Series in Arlington. However, I will not participate in an event held by MLB, and the State will not seek to host the All-Star Game or any other MLB special events.
This decision does not diminish the deep respect I have for the Texas Rangers baseball organization, which is outstanding from top to bottom."
The Rangers informed our sister-station 1080 KRLD that they received notice from the Governor's office on Monday morning that Abbott wouldn't be attending today's festivities.
"We are focused on today’s home opener at Globe Life Field. Frontline heroes will be participating in today’s ceremonial first pitch prior to the game." the club said in a statement.
On Friday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the sport was moving both the 2021 All-Star Game and the MLB Draft out of Atlanta because of the passage of Georgia's new voting laws last week that some perceive to be aimed at suppressing votes from minorities and/or the working class in the state.