When the Atlanta Braves took the field for their opening day tilt against the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday, they did so with a patch on their uniform to commemorate their scheduled chance to host the 2021 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park.
As it turns out, an extra-innings loss on opening day may be the only time that we ever see the Braves wearing said patch.
Friday, commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the sport is moving both the 2021 All-Star Game and the MLB Draft out of Atlanta because of the passage of a new Georgia voting law last week that's perceived to be aimed at suppressing votes from minorities and/or the working class in the state.
"Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversation with clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and the Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views. I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year's All-Star Game and MLB Draft," Manfred said in a statement.
"Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box. In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league 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 year'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. We are finalizing a new host city and details about these events will be announced shortly."
After Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the November 2020 presidential election in Georgia and both Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff unseated sitting Republican senators in January, Republicans in the state seemingly crafted this law hoping to avoid the state turning blue on a permanent basis.
Shortly thereafter, the Braves issued a statement on the decision:
The law, which is 98 pages, includes the following provisions, per Nick Corasaniti and Reid J. Epstein of The New York Times:
- An overhaul of the absentee ballot system, including it being banned to mail said ballots to registered voters who have not explicitly requested one. Additionally, there are new guidelines on the time-table to request an absentee ballot (it's been made shorter) and ID requirements.
- You are now no longer allowed to issue food or water to anyone waiting in a line to vote, regardless of temperature or how long they've been waiting in line for.
- Voting will be limited to between 9 and 5 p.m. on weekdays, disenfranchising those who work during that period.
Last year's MLB All-Star Game, scheduled to take place at Dodger Stadium, was cancelled because of COVID-19. The Dodgers instead will host the event next year, so it's unclear who will ultimately host this year's All-Star Game, scheduled for July 13.
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