Dodgers manager Dave Roberts 'excited' about Atlanta All-Star Game after previously considering 2021 boycott

The MLB All-Star Encounter was relocated from Atlanta to Denver in in response to voting laws in the state of Georgia that then-President Joe Biden described as Jim Crow on steroids At the time Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts who was honored with managing the National League group due to his organization playing in the previous year's World Series stated he would have had to consider declining to manage the encounter if the Midsummer Classic had not been moved MLB made the change saying that the best way to demonstrate the league's values of supporting voting rights for all Americans and opposing restrictions to the ballot box was to move the contest So Roberts was in the dugout that summer but the encounter was brought back to Atlanta this year even though the laws remain in place CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS COM During a news conference a reporter urged Roberts about his previous comments made in about being relentless with our voices and why the event is in Atlanta when this is on the books I think it's just being relentless with our voices the Dodgers' manager commented at the time This is not just something that's an isolated moment in time that we're talking about It's something that demands to be talked about on an ongoing basis and be relentless with it Pat McAfee emceed the news conference and commented he did not feel that anyone on the stage Roberts Paul Skenes Aaron Boone and Tarik Skubal should be giving answers on that I would assume that there was a reason or certain conversation that was had by the MLB and the state that all parties thought that this would be a wonderful host city for the All-Star Encounter I think everybody is all very excited to be back in the beautiful city of Atlanta I think I don t want to speak out of pocket for anybody but I do believe McAfee continued MLB ALL-STAR TOURNAMENT TO TAKE PLACE AT BRAVES' HOME PARK AFTER IT WAS TAKEN AWAY OVER VOTING LAW CONFLICT I think Pat answered it perfect and honestly Roberts chimed in I appreciate the question I appreciate your thoughts I do feel that I m excited to be here I think that it s a great city I think baseball fans are excited to be here and celebrate these great athletes I m not a politician I do feel that everyone has their right to voice thoughts but right now I really choose to just focus on the players in the meeting and be excited to be here For me to be able to manage these guys and to manage against these guys I m honored The Vote Integrity Act of placed new restrictions on voting by mail added voter ID requirements and limited ballot drop boxes Biden criticized the law as Jim Crow on steroids On Monday Georgia Gov Brian Kemp praised MLB for returning the match to Atlanta and creating economic opportunities for businesses in the city We're excited about the competition conclusively being here It should have been here several years ago They never should have pulled it to start with but thankfully the game's coming back Kemp announced in an appearance on Fox Friends It's good for the Braves organization It's good for all the vendors and small business people in and around the ballpark and in the city of Atlanta up in Cobb County and really for our whole state Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this review Follow Fox News Digital s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter