Georgia’s Speaker of the House sends letter to MLB, asks for All-Star game to return to state

It was a highly controversial decision made in early 2021 when Major League Baseball relocated its annual All-Star game from Truist Park to Coors Field in Colorado.

The Atlanta Braves had been promised their chance at the “Mid-Summer Classic” several years ahead of time and were eagerly anticipating hosting the game in their home stadium.

The move came after Gov. Brian Kemp signed a controversial election bill into law.

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Local politicians and some fans were outraged over the league moving the game. At the same time, the move was applauded by several civil rights groups.

A group of fans banded together to file a lawsuit over the move in June 2021. The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge a few days later.

On Wednesday, Georgia’s Republican Speaker of the House sent a formal letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, asking for him to allow the metro Atlanta area to host the game again.

There are opportunities for the game to make it back to Atlanta over the next few years.

The 2022 game is scheduled to be played on July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

2023′s game is slated for Seattle’s T-Mobile Park.

In 2026, Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Ballpark is scheduled to host the game.

The locations for 2024 and 2025′s games have not yet been announced.

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The Braves are expected to field several representatives for this years All-Star game. RF Ronald Acuña Jr. was the top vote-getter for the first round of All-Star selections and will be starting in right field for the game in Los Angeles.

Braves manager Brian Snitker will manage the National League team in this years game. Other Braves players with a good chance of making the roster are SS Dansby Swanson, DH/C William Contreras, 3B Austin Riley and C Travis d’Arnaud. Pitcher Max Fried will also likely be on the team. Pitchers Kyle Wright and A.J. Minter also are expected to be chosen.

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Heading into Friday night’s game with the Washington Nationals, the Braves are 49-35 on the season. It puts them 3.5 games behind the New York Mets. The Mets come to Atlanta to take on the Braves beginning Monday night at Truist Park.