DENVER (AP) – Major League Baseball plans to move the All-Star Game to Coors Field in Denver after it drew this year’s Midsummer Classic from Atlanta over objections to the amendments to Georgia’s voting laws, according to a person familiar with the decision.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on Monday night based on anonymity because MLB had not yet announced the move. The commissioner’s office is expected to declare Tuesday that the Colorado Rockies will host the game.
ESPN reported the decision first.
MLB withdrew the game on July 13 from Truist Park in Atlanta in response to the Georgian voting rules that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp quickly signed on March 25. Critics, including CEOs of Delta Air Lines in Atlanta and Coca-Cola, saw the change as limiting.
Georgia law sets new limits on postal voting and greater legislative control over the conduct of elections, amid pressure in Republican states to reduce voting options following former President Donald Trump’s unfounded allegations of widespread fraud made in last year’s election.
Colorado has a Democratic governor in Jared Polis and a Democratic-controlled legislature.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has made the decision to move the All-Star events and the amateur draft from Atlanta to talks with individual players and the Players Alliance, an organization of black players formed after the death of George Floyd last year, the commissioner said. statement.
Kemp vowed to defend the measure, and other Republicans criticized MLB’s move. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared first place at the Texas Rangers home opener on Monday, saying the state does not want to host the All-Star Game or any other special MLB event.
Coors Field last hosted the All-Star Game in 1998, the fourth season for the stadium and the sixth for the Rockies franchise.
It is uncertain what type of seat there is due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Rockies had a seat during their first home game against World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers with 21,363 fans, which was 42.6% of the regular capacity. The seat was in pods and there were no stands available for fans.
Players are also not allowed to sign or throw baseballs on the stands, according to MLB coronavirus protocols.
Nolan Arenado may be back with the “home team” – the NL, not the Rockies.
Arenado is in the off-season at the St. Louis Cardinals traded after becoming dissatisfied with the team’s vision. Arenado is a five-time All-Star and eight-time gold glove winner.
Arenado remains popular at Coors Field, with fans arriving this weekend wearing his Rockies uniform and his Cardinals version. There will be a taste of Arenado at Coors Field when the Cardinals play July 1-4 in the Mile High City.
One thing is for sure: the Home Run Derby must be epic up to date. Ken Griffey Jr. won it in 1998 at Coors Field by beating Jim Thome.
The last time the All-Star Game was in Denver, the AL beat the NL 13-8, with Bartolo Colon winning and Ugueth Urbina losing the defeat. There were 31 hits, but only three for homers. Barry Bonds started with Alex Rodriguez and Roberto Alomar, the second baseman from Baltimore, who was selected as the MVP.
Colorado was represented in the All-Star Game by Dante Bichette, Vinny Castilla, Larry Walker and coach Don Baylor.
And who knows? Maybe Bichette’s son, Bo, will make the All-Star Game this year. Above Bichette is a short stop for Toronto.
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