Many MLB players have apparently taken note of Georgia's newly passed voting legislation -- and supposedly they're not happy about it.
Baseball players are "very much aware" of the recently approved bill that critics, including President Biden, say will make it more difficult for Black citizens in Georgia to vote, MLBPA executive Tony Clark said in a new interview.
In response, the players' union would welcome the chance to discuss moving this summer's All-Star Game from Atlanta's Truist Park, Clark told the Boston Globe on Friday, though no such talks have been held to date, he added.
The Los Angeles Times on Thursday published an opinion piece calling for the game to be moved, by longtime baseball columnist Bill Shaikin.
Clark's comments could hint at a similar situation to what transpired in the wake of North Carolina's so-called "bathroom bill" in the latter years of the last decade.
Several leagues moved high-profile sporting events out of the state in response, citing their preference to stage their contests in more inclusive settings. The state eventually modified the law to the satisfaction of the leagues, which eventually dropped their boycotts.
A similar dynamic was taking shape in college sports, where hundreds of athletes recently urged the NCAA to avoid scheduling championships in any of the 20-plus states considering banning transgender athletes from women's sports.
The bill signed into law by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday specifically aims to curb ballots by mail by requiring photo ID, shortening the time window to request such ballots, and limiting the number of locations where the ballots can be dropped, the Associated Press reported.
The MLB All-Star Game, which was suspended last year because of the pandemic, is scheduled for July 13 at the Braves' home ballpark. It will mark the 91st installment of the Midsummer Classic.
Truist Park opened in 2017 and was previously called SunTrust Park. The ballpark was expected to be open at full capacity for the July exhibition.