A state Senator from Queens is taking a big swing to bring Major League Baseball's All-Star Game to the New York City borough after the organization pulled the game from Atlanta in response to Georgia's new voting law.
Senator Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris wrote a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in support of the league's decision to move the game out of Georgia and pitched the league to bring its big game to the Big Apple.
"There is no place in America that better symbolizes what our country stands for than Queens - home of Citi Field and the New York Mets. The most diverse county in the United States was also among the hardest hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this would be a fitting tribute to honor the all-stars of our community," Gianaris wrote.
The league announced Friday afternoon it was pulling their summer All-Star Game from Atlanta in objection to the state's controversial new voting laws.
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“I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year’s All-Star Game and MLB draft,” Manfred said. “Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp called Manfred's move a "knee-jerk reaction" and another example of "cancel culture."
Citi Field has some recent history with the All-Star Game -- the stadium last hosted the annual game in 2013.
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The stadium typically home to the New York Mets has served as host to thousands of New Yorkers in recent weeks getting their dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The city announced this week that New Yorkers age 75 and older can now walk up to the 24/7 vaccination site and get their shot without scheduling an appointment. They can bring a friend to get dosed, too.
All qualifying New Yorkers have to do is show proof of age upon arrival at the site. While their accompanying party can be of any age, that person must also be eligible under state guidelines.
The city offers free transportation to and from vaccine sites for adults who are older than 65 or have an ambulatory, visual, intellectual, or developmental disability. To reserve transportation, including ambulette and cab options, call 877-VAX-4-NYC. An operator will walk through eligibility and provide other options over the phone based on the caller's need, the city says.
