For MLB All-Star Game, right/left divide goes beyond field

DENVER (AP) — Debates about right and left at the All-Star Game used to deal with pitchers or perhaps batting orders.

This year it extends to the political divide in the United States.

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred shifted Tuesday’s game to Denver’s Coors Field from Atlanta’s Truist Park because of a Georgia voting law that critics say will negatively affect communities of color. His decision generally was denounced by conservatives and praised by liberals.

"Commissioner Rob Manfred moved the All-Star Game from Atlanta, parroting dishonest, partisan talking points,” said a commercial by the Consumers’ Research, a conservative group. “Why is he making baseball political anyway? Because of his terrible record. Viewership way down. Ticket prices way up.”

Manfred said he made the decision after discussions with teams, former and current players, the Major League Baseball Players Association and The Players Alliance, an organization of Black players formed after the death of George Floyd last year.

“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” he said in announcing his decision in early April.

“In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the nonpartisan 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," he said.

The Players Alliance quickly backed his decision.

“We want to make our voice heard loud and clear in our opposition of the recent Georgia legislation that not only...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/For-MLB-All-Star-Game-right-left-divide-goes-16306299.php