A New York congressman who called for the league to move the 2011 game from Phoenix is the latest person to push for an economic boycott against the state in protest of the new law.  Companies have been pulling conferences out of Arizona resorts while others have suggested consumers shun companies, such as US Airways, that are based in the state and have yet to condemn the the law. 

"I think that when people, states, localities make decisions this monumental, they should know the full consequence of that decision," Rep. Josť E. Serrano, D-N.Y., said. " I think Major League Baseball, with 40 percent Latino ballplayers at all levels, should make a statement that it will not hold its All-Star Game in a state that discriminates against 40 percent of their people." 

The 40 percent figure could not be independently confirmed and a spokesman for Major League Baseball said the league had no comment at this time. 

The 2009 game generated an estimated $60 million for St. Louis, according to the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association.  New York's economy generated an estimated $150 million the year before, according to New York City's Economic Development Corp.

The law, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer last week, makes it a misdemeanor to fail to prove lawful U.S. residence when asked to provide such documentation. 

When Arizona stopped recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1987, various groups organized boycotts of the state.  Pressure eventually fell on the NFL, which in 1991 pulled the 1993 Super Bowl from Phoenix.  Voters approved the holiday in 1992 and Tempe, Ariz., was awarded the 1996 Super Bowl. 

Serrano called that boycott "monumental" in getting the state to reverse its position. 

"The NFL and the players and the union were smart enough and committed enough to know that this was important," he said. 

I think I might be through with major League Baseball if they cave it to this. 
I'm thinking of taking a vacation there in support of the Governor! 

strato

04-30-2010 03:21 PM

Re: MLB Pressured to Pull All-Star Game from Phoenix...

Hmmmm...im kinda torn here...

exile

05-16-2010 03:30 PM

Re: MLB Pressured to Pull All-Star Game from Phoenix...

Yeah well MLB has been going down the tube for awhile now.  The game desperately needs a salary cap.  It also needs a shorter season and I could point out a number of other ideas.  It is sad to see such a great game being run by morons that don't know how to market it and keep it competitive.  Sad indeed. 

As for the AllStar game, there isn't much of a following for that anyway.  Move it to Mexico City.  I don't care.  I give MLB 10 years before all of the owners, except for the obvious handful, will pull out of it. 

Saint_LB

05-18-2010 03:41 AM

Re: MLB Pressured to Pull All-Star Game from Phoenix...

Quote:

Originally Posted by exile
(Post 225864)

As for the AllStar game, there isn't much of a following for that anyway.  Move it to Mexico City.  I don't care. 

Pretty much the way I feel, too. 

I don't watch MLB much anymore for a few reasons, and two of them are 1) I don't like the way most people treated this guy, and 2) I don't get to see this anymore...

I should think the people in Arizona have just about had enough of having to clean up scenes like this.  They're on the front lines.  Walk a mile through that crap in THEIR shoes before you stone them for trying to do something about a VERY REAL problem. 

I should think the people in Arizona have just about had enough of having to clean up scenes like this.  They're on the front lines.  Walk a mile through that crap in THEIR shoes before you stone them for trying to do something about a VERY REAL problem. 

This picture is a perfect metaphor for what is being left of our SS and Tax systems by the strain that illegals are adding. 

And am I the only person who thought that how Mexico's President and our President represented the law was ABSURD!!??? 

How dare both of those heads of state take the time to ignorantly condemn AZ's law while fueling racial tensions by suggesting that law enforcement is 'profiling' their ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.