Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts 'excited' About Atlanta All-star Game After Previously Considering 2021 Boycott

The MLB All-Star Game was relocated from Atlanta to Denver successful 2021 successful consequence to voting laws successful nan authorities of Georgia that then-President Joe Biden described arsenic "Jim Crow connected steroids."

At nan time, Los Angeles Dodgers head Dave Roberts, who was honored pinch managing nan National League squad owed to his squad playing successful nan erstwhile year's World Series, said he would person had to see declining to negociate nan crippled if nan Midsummer Classic had not been moved.

MLB made nan change, saying that "the champion measurement to demonstrate" nan league's values of "[supporting] voting authorities for each Americans and [opposing] restrictions to nan ballot box" was to move nan game. So, Roberts was successful nan dugout that summer, but nan crippled was brought backmost to Atlanta this year, moreover though nan laws stay successful place.

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National League head Dave Roberts of nan Los Angeles Dodgers during workouts earlier nan 2025 MLB All-Star Game astatine Truist Park. (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

During a news conference, a newsman asked Roberts astir his erstwhile comments made successful 2021 astir being "relentless pinch our voices" and why nan crippled is successful Atlanta "when this is connected nan books."

"I deliberation it's conscionable being relentless pinch our voices," nan Dodgers' head said astatine nan time. "This is not conscionable thing that's an isolated infinitesimal successful clip that we're talking about. It's thing that needs to beryllium talked astir [on an] ongoing [basis], and beryllium relentless pinch it."

Pat McAfee emceed nan news convention and said he did not consciousness that anyone connected nan shape (Roberts, Paul Skenes, Aaron Boone and Tarik Skubal) "should beryllium giving answers connected that."

"I would presume that location was a logic aliases immoderate speech that was had by nan MLB and nan authorities that each parties thought that this would beryllium a awesome big metropolis for nan All-Star Game. I deliberation everybody is each very excited to beryllium backmost successful nan beautiful metropolis of Atlanta, I think. I don’t want to speak retired of pouch for anybody, but I do believe," McAfee continued.

From near to right, Los Angeles Dodgers head Dave Roberts, #30, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, #30, and Pat McAfee look connected during nan All-Star Press Conference astatine Coca-Cola Roxy connected Monday, July 14, 2025 successful Atlanta. (Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

2025 MLB ALL-STAR GAME TO TAKE PLACE AT BRAVES' HOME PARK AFTER IT WAS TAKEN AWAY OVER VOTING LAW CONTROVERSY

"I deliberation Pat answered it cleanable and honestly," Roberts chimed in. "I admit nan question. I admit your thoughts. I do consciousness that I’m excited to beryllium here. I deliberation that it’s a awesome city. I deliberation shot fans are excited to beryllium present and observe these awesome athletes.

"I’m not a politician. I do consciousness that everyone has their correct to sound thoughts, but correct now I really take to conscionable attraction connected nan players successful nan crippled and beryllium excited to beryllium here. For me, to beryllium capable to negociate these guys and to negociate against these guys, I’m honored."

The Election Integrity Act of 2021 placed caller restrictions connected voting by mail, added elector ID requirements and constricted ballot driblet boxes. Biden criticized nan rule arsenic "Jim Crow connected steroids."

On Monday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp praised MLB for returning the crippled to Atlanta and creating economical opportunities for businesses successful nan city.

"We're excited astir nan crippled yet being here. It should person been present respective years ago. They ne'er should person pulled it to commencement with, but thankfully nan game's coming back," Kemp said successful an quality connected "Fox & Friends."

Los Angeles Dodgers head Dave Roberts walks backmost to nan dugout aft making a pitching alteration during nan seventh inning successful Game 2 of nan NL Division Series against nan San Diego Padres connected Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 successful Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

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"It's bully for nan Braves organization. It's bully for each nan vendors and mini business group successful and astir nan ballpark and successful nan metropolis of Atlanta up successful Cobb County and really for our full state."

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.

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