Major League Baseball (MLB) is set to return the 2024 All-Star Game to its original location in Atlanta, Georgia, after a shift in the stance of Commissioner Rob Manfred. The game was moved from Atlanta four years ago due to concerns over new voting restrictions in the state.
At the time, Manfred claimed that he pulled the game out of Atlanta as a precautionary measure to protect Black players who might face questions about skipping the game if it were held in protest of the laws. However, his stance on social issues has changed significantly since then.
Manfred’s position has shifted from taking a strong stance against voting restrictions and advocating for diversity and inclusion programs to avoiding any potential controversy or politics. The commissioner has met with President Trump multiple times and has removed references to “diversity” from MLB’s careers homepage after the president issued an executive order threatening federal action against organizations with DEI programs.
In recent months, MLB has shown no inclination to involve itself in politics or social issues when deciding on game locations or events. The commissioner’s approach has been met with silence from MLB regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, despite the Dodgers’ efforts to reach out to affected communities.
Manfred’s decision to return the All-Star Game to Atlanta marks a shift away from his previous stance on social issues. However, few people in baseball have pushed back against this approach, and it remains to be seen how MLB will continue to navigate its role in addressing social concerns.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/07/15/mlb-all-star-game-atlanta-manfred-trump