After taking away the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Truist Park in 2021 for political reasons, Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Thursday it will be scheduled for the Atlanta Braves’ ballpark in 2025.
Manfred said in a statement that “as a model of success on and off the field, the Braves deserve to host the All-Star Game. Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta will provide fans a world-class experience in 2025. We look forward to working with the Braves and local leaders to deliver a memorable All-Star Week that brings people together and benefits the community in many ways.”
He didn’t mention that he unilaterally moved the game in April 2021, right before the season began, because of a new Georgia election law.
The Republican-dominated legislature passed sweeping legislation that was quickly signed by GOP Gov. Brian Kemp and roundly denounced by Democratic and voting-rights interests.
The law—which is still on the books—added identification requirements for mailed ballots, restricts the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, requires more advanced voting across the state and shortens runoff elections.
The legislature also was given oversight of proposed changes to election rules by the Secretary of State and state elections board.
Newly-elected President Joe Biden publicly demanded the game be moved, calling the law “Jim Crow on steroids,” comments that new Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said sent an “unfortunate message.”
In a statement, the Braves said Thursday that getting the All-Star Game two years from now “will be an exciting and unique opportunity to showcase all that our organization, our partners and our city have to offer.”
Cupid responded by saying that “I am grateful that Major League Baseball has again considered Cobb County, Truist Park, and the Atlanta Braves to host the All Star Game in 2025.
“We have a winning baseball team and community that create a premier destination for this annual occasion.
“Our restaurants, businesses and attractions surrounding Truist Park, the Battery, and beyond will create a memorable experience for all.”
Planning has already begun with Public Safety and I know our lessons learned in winning the World Series combined with the enthusiasm and support of community partners and citizens will showcase Cobb as a great place to live, work, and enjoy as we host another successful and impressive event.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger posted on the social-media platform X—formerly Twitter—that “in the longest instant replay review of all time, MLB‘s head office finally overturned a bad call. Georgia’s elections are safe, secure, and accessible to serve our voters.”
The 2021 All-Star Game and MLB Draft also scheduled for Truist Park took place in Denver instead.
Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson, who had just begun her term representing District 2 where Truist Park is located, at the time called the relocation decision a lost opportunity “to show leadership.”
She was part of a new Democratic majority on the all-female commission, and said that while there some parts of the law she likes and others she does not, trouble arises “when you choose division.”
She said that “the people who were most impacted by that bill were not listened to. You can’t solve anything when people aren’t talking to each other.”
Manfred did have to show up up at Truist in the 2021 season, however, as the Braves won the World Series.
Atlanta has had two All-Star games in its past, in 1972 at Atlanta Stadium, and in 2000 at Turner Field.
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Atlanta has hosted All-Star games in 1972 and 2000. Are there any historical elements or lessons from these past events that will be incorporated into the planning and execution of the 2025 All-Star Game? Tel U