If you truly believe in what America is supposed to be, and value the democratic process, then you are applauding the recent decision by Major League Baseball to remove this summer’s All-Star game from the state of Georgia, where restrictive new law called “Senate Bill 202” was recently put into place to make it harder for people to cast their ballots.
The law includes stricter voter ID requirements, a limit on the number of drop boxes for ballots…and most what’s most disturbing, allows the state board of elections to take over local county elections if they don’t like the results. MLB saw this as a blatant attempt to limit the ability of minority voters to cast important votes, as they did in record numbers in 2020.
Since last summer, MLB has stepped up and taken a much stronger stance on social issues like this. Pulling the All-star game out of Atlanta is a bold and decisive move that should send a message to not only the politicians in Georgia, but those in other states that are considering similar anti-democratic measures. And it should send a message to other professional leagues and the NCAA (which is now a semi-professional league) that they need to stand firm on these issues as well. The NFL and the NBA have taken these kinds of stances before (Martin Luther King Day in Arizona, etc.) and are likely to do so again. The momentum is building.
The days of “stick to sports” are as outdated as the typewriter. These leagues and these players have a strong and meaningful voice and it’s great for America when they choose to use it like this. Now that the correct decision has been made, the focus turns to where MLB will hold this year’s mid-summer classic…and why.
Some of the most prominent mentions so far include places like Kansas City, Houston, Chicago and a couple of other familiar spots.
The allure of Kansas City goes back to the foundation of the old Negro Leagues, and everything that those teams and players mean to the history of the game. It would be a wonderful tribute to honor that history and celebrate the drive for diversity within baseball that was launched there. However, the states of Missouri and Kansas are among those currently considering voter suppression laws that are similar to the one passed in Georgia. How would it look if MLB placed the game there…and then those states implemented laws just like Georgia did? With Governors that are reportedly supportive of the Georgia law, MLB’s message needs to remain crystal clear: These kinds of anti-democratic measures will result in MLB steering clear of your state, period.
Houston and Arlington, Texas are located in the state that first proposed these kinds of anti-democratic measures. Sorry, no reason for MLB, the NBA, NFL or the NCAA for that matter, to mess with Texas.
Another factor to be considered is that it’s the National League’s turn to host the game.
You can make a very strong case for Denver – which has been done in this excellent article – located in the state with the single best voting system in the United States. No new voter suppression laws have a chance to pass in Colorado, where there have been zero problems with the vote-by-mail or drop box system, no lines to vote, no complaints about people being turned away from the polls — and final tallies that are available just hours – not days – after the polls close. The Governor is a baseball fanatic and there’s not a better venue in MLB than Coors Field. It would be awesome.
But as strong as the case for Coors Field is, if the message is intended for states that are considering doing what Georgia did, then the game should probably be moved to one of those so-called “swing states” where MLB’s influence can be more meaningful. Under those conditions, the perfect place for this year’s All-Star game is…
Milwaukee.
There’s the obvious connection between Milwaukee and Atlanta. The Braves franchise moved south from Brew Town to Georgia in 1966, and the young slugger who will be honored at this year’s game, the late Hank Aaron, was a Milwaukee Brave before they all moved to Atlanta. He also ended his career as a Brewer, so all the plans that are in place to honor one of baseball’s all-time greats can go on exactly as planned. And you hope Brian Kemp, Kelly Loeffler and their cohorts will be watching with envy.
The fans of Milwaukee – which hasn’t hosted the game since the infamous tie game in 2002 – are among the greatest in all of baseball. It would be a well deserved honor for them to have this game and the ceremonies to honor Aaron…and to get to take something back from Atlanta, you know?
And most importantly, voter suppression measures are being floated in Wisconsin, but currently have zero chance of being signed into law by the Governor. MLB could be exerting influence on this issue for the future in a place where it needs to be continually talked about.
And one final point in favor of moving the game to Brew Town: America deserves one more game the features the legendary Bob Uecker behind the microphone. Uek and Aaron were close friends. Mr. Baseball can give the kind of fitting tribute to his late friend that few others could. In a year when baseball needs a win, moving to the All-Star game to Milwaukee would provide that kind of victory.
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