Governor Greg Abbott has declined an invitation to throw out the ceremonially first pitch at the Texas Rangers home opener following Major League Baseball’s decision to move the All-Star game from Atlanta.
Abbott made the announcement on Twitter Monday, just hours before he was slated to appear at the teams’ matinee against the Toronto Blue Jays.
I was looking forward to throwing out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers' home opening game until @MLB adopted what has turned out to be a false narrative about Georgia's election law reforms.
It is shameful that America's pastime is being influenced by partisan politics. pic.twitter.com/pNJApYBHpw
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 5, 2021
MLB announced last Friday that it would be moving the “Midsummer Classic” from Atlanta in lieu of Georgia’s new voting laws, which critics say promotes voter suppression, especially among minority groups.