Barrett Pitches Milwaukee As Replacement for MLB All-Star Game
MLB pulls game from Georgia after voting restrictions adopted.
Mayor Tom Barrett at a voter registration rally at Miller Park in 2020. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game won’t be in Atlanta. Could it come to Milwaukee?
The news comes after Republican officials in Georgia instituted controversial voting rights restrictions. MLB announced its decision to move the game, scheduled for July 13th, on Friday afternoon.
“As you review alternative sites for the game, I ask you to consider Milwaukee,” wrote Mayor Tom Barrett in a letter to Manfred. “It is a particularly appropriate location to honor Hank Aaron who is a revered and beloved former Milwaukeean. He started and concluded his Major League career with teams here.”
Aaron started his career with the Milwaukee Braves and ended it with the Milwaukee Brewers. He won a championship in Milwaukee with the Braves in 1957. He spent most of his career in Atlanta after the Braves relocated to the southern city in 1965. Aaron passed away in January.
Manfred’s announcement said the game would honor Aaron. He said MLB would still contribute to community organizations in Atlanta.
“We are finalizing a new host city and details about these events will be announced shortly,” wrote Manfred.
Barrett hosted a voter registration event alongside suburban officials at American Family Field in September 2020. The city intended to use the stadium as an absentee voting site, but ultimately canceled its usage under fear of a lawsuit.
Miller Park, now known as American Family Field, has received a number o upgrades in the ensuing years.
The move by Barrett is a similar pitch made in 2019 to have the G7 Summit relocated to Milwaukee. President Donald Trump had originally proposed to have the summit at a property he owned, but that was rejected. Barrett pitched Milwaukee’s security readiness for the June 2020 based on its preparation for the Democratic National Convention. But Trump ultimately chose Camp David over Milwaukee. The summit was ultimately canceled because of the pandemic.
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What happens if the Republican controlled Wisconsin Legislature (as expected) passes voter suppression acts? Notwithstanding Gov. Evers’ veto, this puts Wisconsin in league with Georgia.
I doubt MLB would want to risk having to move the game a second time.
Every elected Republican office holder should be made aware of this:
More Than a Vote, a collective of athletes headlined by LeBron James that is fighting to combat voter suppression, will announce a multimillion-dollar initiative to increase the number of poll workers in Black electoral districts ahead of November’s general election.
This week, More Than a Vote noted that it had called on Georgia lawmakers to drop the voting bill during the recent N.B.A. All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, and it cautioned other states contemplating similar measures.
“All the states still considering voter suppression bills should take note,” the organization warned in a Twitter post citing the M.L.B. All-Star relocation. “Actions have consequences.”
4-5-21
We must NOT conflate the availability of space – American Family Field – in the city of Milwaukee, for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game as an all-encompassing positive for African Americans, other People of Color, and Work-Challenged Milwaukeeans, Core Constituents.
We know it would be “ALL DOORS OPEN” without reservation for the Equity Inclusion factor and the promotion of the summer pastime sport of baseball if equally “dignity” and “respect” was afforded Milwaukeeans for the 2020 Democratic Convention by Tom Barrett Mayor, Cavalier Johnson Common Council President, and the Common Council towards the census tract Milwaukeeans.
Just like the African Americans in Georgia have made the point of overall TRUST and RESPECT for VOTING creates the baseline of their credo; “second-class citizenship” is forbidden. The same is here in Milwaukee. The Charter officers of the city of Milwaukee failed to honor their Oath to us. They brought folks into “our house”, used our real estate, used our ratings, signed a Master plan with Alex Lasry, and the Bucks/Fiserv without our agreement. WE GOT NOTHING! The cost is being assessed.
So, here we go again.
What will Milwaukeeans get from this gesture?
The use of the names of baseball giants/greats like African American Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron to bolster this unfortunate situation can EXPLODE without proper and appropriate public confidence of Milwaukeeans within the 96.8 square miles.
I will be back.