Texas Governor refuses to throw first Rangers pitch after MLB’s stand on Georgia law

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Monday that he will not throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Texas Rangers home opener because of the relocation of the All-Star game out of Atlanta by Major League Baseball to protest against laws restricting voting rights implemented in Georgia.

The Republican informed the Rangers of his decision in a letter ahead of Monday’s game, according to a news release.

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“Major League Baseball adopted what has turned out to be a false narrative about the election law reforms in Georgia, and based on that false narrative, moved the MLB All-Star game from Atlanta,” Abbott wrote in the letter.

He argued that the league has been influenced by “partisan political politics” and is also trying to spread false narratives.

“This decision does not diminish the deep respect I have for the Texas Rangers baseball organization, which is outstanding from top to bottom.”

The new law, reportedly, limits drop boxes, allows unlimited challenges to voter eligibility and registration, and ban voters waiting in queue to receive any water bottle or snacks.

Moreover, Abbott added that he will no longer participate in any event held by MLB, and that the State of Texas will not seek to host the All-Star game or any other MLB special events.

Meanwhile, according to a CNN report, a fifth-grade science teacher from Dunn Elementary in Arlington, Texas, will now be the first pitcher and Sydney Maxwell, a nurse at Medical City Healthcare, will catch it.

“Frontline heroes will be participating in today’s ceremonial first pitch prior to the game,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier in the day, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell too argued that the pressure on the southern state to reverse the Republican-backed election laws amounted to “a coordinated campaign by powerful and wealthy people to mislead and bully the American people.”

He accused companies of bowing to “far-left mobs.”

Commissioner Rob Manfred made the decision to move the All-Star events and the amateur draft, which had been scheduled to be held in Atlanta for the first time.

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“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,” Manfred said in a statement, CNN reported. 

“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” he said.

“In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the non-partisan Civic Alliance to help build a future in which everyone participates in shaping the United States.”

Meanwhile, Monday’s game between the Rangers and the Toronto Blue Jays, held at Globe Life Field, is set to be one of the first sporting events with full fan capacity.