Texas Governor Greg Abbott refuses to launch the Rangers in the first place, citing the MLB’s position against Georgia’s voting law

Texas Governor Greg Abbott refuses to launch the Rangers in the first place, citing the MLB’s position against Georgia’s voting law

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Abbott, a Republican, informed the Rangers of his decision in a letter ahead of Monday’s game, according to a press release. He cited the MLB’s decision to move the organization’s All-Star game and recruitment in Atlanta in response to Georgia’s restrictive voting law.
“Major League Baseball adopted what turned out to be a false narrative about Georgia’s electoral law reforms and, based on that false narrative, transferred the Atlanta MLB All-Star game,” wrote Abbott in the letter.

“It is a shame that America’s pastime is not only being influenced by party policies, but also perpetuating false political narratives. This decision does not diminish my deep respect for the Texas Rangers baseball organization, which stands out from top to bottom.”

Abbott also said that he will no longer participate in any MLB-organized event and that the State of Texas will not seek to host the All-Star game or any other special MLB event.

Georgia’s law, recently signed by Republican Governor Brian Kemp, includes new voter identification requirements for absentee ballots, empowers state officials to take over local ballot boxes, limits the use of ballot boxes and makes it a crime to approach voters to deliver them food and water while waiting in line.
This led to lawsuits by civil rights groups, a strong denunciation by President Joe Biden and calls for companies to take action against the state.

Republican advocates of the law say that critics who accuse them of “cracking down on voters” are misrepresenting their intentions and the main provisions of the law. They claim that the law not only makes elections in Georgia more secure, but also broadens access to voting.

“The Major League Baseball has yielded to fear, political opportunism and liberal lies”, Kemp said in a statement after the MLB announced its decision.

“Georgians – and all Americans – must fully understand what the automatic decision of the MLB means: canceling culture and awakening political activists are coming to all aspects of your life, sports included. If the left disagrees with you, facts and the truth doesn’t matter. ”

The Atlanta Braves said the franchise is “deeply disappointed” with the decision to transfer the game.

“This was not our decision, nor our recommendation and we are sad that fans are unable to attend this event in our city,” said a statement from the team. “Unfortunately, companies, employees and fans in Georgia are the victims of this decision.”

In a statement to CNN, a spokesman for Rangers said Audrey Simmons, a fifth-grade science teacher at Dunn Elementary in Arlington, Texas, will now make the first pitch. Sydney Maxwell, a nurse at Medical City Healthcare, will make the first pitch.

“Frontline heroes will participate in today’s first ceremonial pitch before the game,” said the spokesman.

Monday’s match between Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays, held at Globe Life Field, is one of the first sporting events with a full crowd.

Rangers spokesman John Blake told CNN in March that the stadium’s total capacity is 40,518.

CNN’s Homero De la Fuente, Jenn Selva, Dave Close, Steve Almasy, Daniel Dale and Dianne Gallagher contributed to this report.

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