MLB

2011 All-Star Game Likely To Remain In Arizona, Players Around The League React

Arizona’s controversial new immigration law takes effect on July 29th.  And, as of now, Major League Baseball–which is set to play its 2011 All-Star Game at Chase Field in Phoenix–intends to turn the other cheek.

Commissioner Bud Selig indicated yesterday that, despite explicit protests from many players around the league (the most recent being Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo who stated yesterday that he would boycott the game if selected), MLB has no plans of changing the venue for next year’s Mid-Summer Classic from Arizona.

The reason? Tact.

As has become the common response from influential sports figures when delicate political issues intersect the realm of sports, the commissioner cited baseball as an inappropriate forum for commenting on such a volatile political issue and, moreover, stated that the controversy surrounding the law “will be solved in the political process at the appropriate time.”

Now, for many, the visceral reaction to this remark will, understandably, be one of disgust.  Outrage over what is an abhorrently conservative and complacent approach to an issue that effects the civil liberties of 22.7% of major league players.

But, before we burn the commissioner in effigy, it is should be said that, at this stage in the process–with a full year separating us from next year’s All-Star Game–this was, for all intents and purposes, actually the rational statement to make.

How the hell could you possibly say that?  You must hate Hispanic people.

No, I swear I don’t.  Just hear me out.

The Arizona law is, in my opinion, an atrocity, and, moreover, it is one that affects the MLB far more severely than it does any other league.  But at the same time, it is the responsibility of the commissioner, at least for now, to wait and see how the law manifests itself in practice–that is, to see if the anticipated racism and violation of civil liberties do indeed occur (and likely they will)–before he takes meaningful action that would negatively affect the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, which, realistically, is entirely unrelated from Arizona’s state legislature.

It’s all about proper timing.

And–while meaningful action will eventually be both necessary and appropriate as more and more players begin to offer outspoken opinion against the law–were he to take action now, the league would merely be subjecting itself to a whirlwind of both distraction and public backlash (at least from certain demographics) that it could do without.

Thus, let us see where the commissioner stands on the matter in January of 2011.  He did say, after all, that, “[MLB will] do things when baseball can influence decisions.”

And, without a doubt, as we near next year’s All-Star Game, baseball will gain more of such influence.

Let us just hope that, when the time comes, the commissioner is true to his word.

Here are some of the reactions from players up to this point, cited in an article by Amy K. Nelson:

Brewers Pitcher Yovani Gallardo:

“If the game is in Arizona, I will totally boycott.”

Padres Catcher Yorvit Torrealba:

“I think they should move [the game], because it’s going to be a lot of Latin players in the All-Star Game. I guarantee you they want to take their families. In my mind, I would be like, ‘I wonder if my family is all right here?’ That’s why they should move it; that way nobody has to worry about that stuff.”

Nationals Pitcher Miguel Batista:

“We need to all get informed; what is the basic basis of this law? Because I have an accent, you have a right to ask me for my papers? Because I’m not blonde with blue eyes? What do you actually base the stereotype on to have to ask me for my papers?”

Padres Utility Player Jerry Hairston Jr.:

“It reminds me of seeing the old movies with the Nazis when they ask you to show your papers,” said Jerry Jr., who added he’d rather let politicians talk about the issue. “It’s not right. I can’t imagine my mom — who’s been a U.S. citizen longer than I’ve been alive, who was born and raised in Mexico — being asked to show her papers. I can’t imagine that happening. So it kind of hits home for me.”

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez:

“I will tell you, as a minority, I’m concerned about the law. But we have to see how it will play out.”

Marlins Third Baseman Jorge Cantu:

“No, why would they? No reason to move an All-Star Game,” Cantu said. “I’m sure a lot of people would want it [in Arizona].”

Padres Pitcher Heath Bell:

“If Adrian [Gonzalez] is voted [in] next year and doesn’t go, I wouldn’t be surprised if I wouldn’t go to stick up for my teammate. If I’m voted I’m going to have to really think about it, because I have a lot of friends that are not white. Sometimes you need to stick up for your friends and family.”