Texas Governor Greg Abbott Declines First Pitch Duties, Has Message For MLB Over ASG Fiasco

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday he will begin his very own boycott of Major League Baseball now that the league is playing partisan politics and moving the All-Star Game out of Atlanta due to Georgia's new voting law. Governor Abbott didn't mince words in his letter to Texas Rangers Chief Operating Officer Neil Leibman.

"Thank you for the invitation to throw out the first pitch at the Texas Rangers' home opening game. I was looking forward to it – until Major League Baseball adopted what has turned out to be a false narrative about the election law reforms in Georgia, and, based on that false narrative, moved the MLB All-Star Game from Atlanta," Abbott wrote. "It is shameful that America's pastime is not only being influenced by partisan political politics, but also perpetuating false political narratives. The State of Texas was proud to help MLB host last season's National League playoff games and the World Series in Arlington. However, I will not participate in an event held by MLB, and the State will not seek to host the All-Star Game or any other MLB special events."

Abbott was joined by Florida Senator Marco Rubio in applying pressure on Major League Baseball for its decision in Georgia. Rubio is calling on MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to give up his Augusta National membership to prove how serious he is about opposing Georgia's new voting law.

The Texas Rangers Opening Day festivities will roll on without Abbott. A full crowd is expected at Globe Life Field for today's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. It'll be a typical Opening Day with both national anthems, a moment of silence, a flyover, "God Bless America" during the seventh inning and Budweiser handing out magnetic schedules.