2011 MLB All-Star Game: Why It Should Stay in Arizona

The 2011 MLB All-Star game is planned to be played in Phoenix, Arizona. But a new law on immigration, SB 1070, is not mixing well with the idea.

There have been plenty of protests wherever the Diamondbacks play. It has caused a huge debate about whether the game should be played elsewhere.

Here are some reasons why we should leave politics separate from baseball and leave the game in Phoenix.

Bud Selig Is Not Wanting To Change Plans

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Bud Selig continues to ignore protests, letters, and demands to move the game.

"Apparently all the people around and in minority communities think we're doing OK. That's the issue, and that's the answer," he said. "I told the clubs today: 'Be proud of what we've done.' They are. We should. And that's our answer. We control our own fate, and we've done very well."

Selig says that baseball and politics don't mix, and that's why the 2011 MLB All-Star Game should be played in Phoenix.

Manager and Player Reactions

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Ozzie Guillen, manager of the Chicago White Sox, said that he would not like to participate in next year's All-Star game, as Tony LaRussa of the St. Louis Cardinals said he would like to participate and is in agreement with the bill.

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.”

Rangers First 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.”

Protests Continue To Go On

There have been many protests around the league over the bill, with websites like MoveTheGame.org to go with it.

But it is not stopping, even though Bud Selig has stated he will not move the game.

Play Ball!

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The 2011 MLB All-Star game will most likely still be played in Arizona even though the debate continues to go on.

All we want to do is see the players play ball, and a law should not interfere with the entertainment we want to see.

Look for protests and such to go on, but the game will remain in Arizona.