Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred has decided to move the 2021 All-Star Game and the MLB Draft from Atlanta’s Truist Park.
Manfred made the announcement in a news release Friday afternoon.
The decision was made in response to voting restrictions recently passed by Georgia lawmakers and signed by the governor, The Associated Press reported.
“Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations 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,” MLB commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said in a statement, according to WSBTV.
There is no word on where the All-Star Game will be held.
The Braves statement regarding the moving of the MLB All-Star Game: pic.twitter.com/0Iapm3eIre
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 2, 2021
One thing that won’t be changing will be honoring the memory of Hank Aaron.
The legendary Atlanta Braves player died earlier this year, and the league had planned to support Atlanta communities during the game through the All-Star Legacy Projects program. Those plans are still intact and the projects will move forward, the league said in a statement.
The All-Star Game was scheduled to take place July 13 during the midsummer break. The All-Star break included the Futures Game on July 11 and the Home Run Derby, the AP reported. The league had awarded the game to Atlanta on May 29, 2019.
Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/ONGOLJAW6FBDXEOH5DAATAO5DY.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/53ESTYWXLBAJHPRKP67WGSLE2I.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/FENY3YJL7BGRXHTC36HSMTLH7I.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/QBRPVRX6BFDD3CAHA6I6DAIGBI.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/Z455BAQBVRECJG23YIE5I6DSJA.jpeg)