Texas Governor Greg Abbott now refuses to throw out the first pitch for the Texas Rangers’ home opener, citing Major League Baseball‘s decision attack Georgia‘s new voting law.
Georgia Republicans passed the “Election Integrity Act” in March to strengthen accountability in the state’s voting process after reports and evidence of widespread fraud after the elections in November of last year.
In response to the new law, which opponents have blamed on racism, the MLB announced the All-Star Game and the draft would no longer be held in the state.
Now Abbott is pushing back.
He sent a letter to the Texas Rangers Monday wishing the team luck but saying he could not throw out the first pitch.
“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,” reads the letter. “It is shameful that America’s pastime is not only being influenced by partisan political politics, but also perpetuating false political narratives.
“This decision does not diminish the deep respect I have for the Texas Rangers baseball organization, which is outstanding from top to bottom.”
Abbott also said the state of Texas will not look to host the MLB All-Star Game or any other MLB special events.
Abbott’s letter is the latest development in an ongoing controversy over the MLB’s decision to step into Georgia politics.
Former President Donald Trump has also reacted sharply to the MLB decision, calling for a boycott of companies with left-leaning leadership and telling MLB fans to take a break from baseball.
“For years the Radical Left Democrats have played dirty by boycotting products when anything from that company is done or stated in any way that offends them,” Trump said in a statement last week. “Now they are going big time with WOKE CANCEL CULTURE and our sacred elections.”
