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With 2011 All-Star Game Still Slated for Arizona, More MLB Players Say They Would Skip It

Posted July 12, 2010 by Ted Hesson
Categories: National

Since the passage of SB 1070 in Arizona, baseball players throughout the Major Leagues have spoken out against the draconian immigration law.

But with activists pushing to move the 2011 All-Star Game out of Phoenix, more players are threatening to skip next year’s game if it isn’t moved out of Arizona.

AP’s Ben Walker reports:

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)—Yovani Gallardo is firm. Even if he’s fortunate enough to make the All-Star team again next summer, he’ll skip it.

“If the game is in Arizona, I will totally boycott,” the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher said Monday.

A year before Phoenix is set to host baseball’s big event, the state’s new immigration law kept drawing the attention of major leaguers.

Kansas City reliever Joakim Soria, who leads the majors with 25 saves, said he would support a Latino protest and stay away. Detroit closer Jose Valverde can see himself steering clear, too.

“It’s a really delicate issue,” said Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista, who leads the majors with 24 home runs. “Hopefully, there are some changes in the law before then. We have to back up our Latin communities.”

“If I do get chosen, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said.

According to the article, several all-stars, including two New York Yankees, didn’t want to talk to reporters about the law:

“That’s a political thing,” New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano said. “I don’t have anything to say about it. They already made a decision. If I say anything it’s not going to make any difference.”

“Wrong guy,” teammate Alex Rodriguez said, pointing to other players in the interview room.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal said he would wait for guidance from the players’ union.

“The game is going on at this point, regardless,” said former All-Star Tony Clark, who played for Arizona last season and now works for the union. “Whatever decision an individual player makes, they would have the full support of the union.”

Immigrant rights groups are expected to protest outside the stadium before Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Tags : 2011 all star game, arizona, arizona boycott, mlb, sb 1070

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