As media coverage begins to converge on tonight’s All-Star Game in Phoenix, Arizona — the state now directly associated with the growing anti-Latino, anti-immigrant sentiment throughout the country — most players have stayed silent. However, curious remarks by David Ortiz and Carlos Beltrán might have confirmed that their union, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), had given them the okay to not offer real opinions on what is becoming the new civil rights issue in 21st century America.

All-Star Carlos Beltrán
The MLBPA DID issue a statement. Last week. To remind you that they have been “PUBLIC” about their opposition to SB 1070 since April 30, 2010:
On April 30, 2010, the MLBPA expressed publicly its opposition to SB 1070, and that position remains unchanged. We stated then that, if SB 1070 as written went into effect, we would consider additional measures to protect the interests of our members. SB 1070 is not in effect and key portions of the law have been judged unlawful by the federal courts. Under all the circumstances, we have not asked players to refrain from participating in any All-Star activities.
So, basically, this is a non-answer. But you decide.
Oh yeah, and then this is what Beltrán said:
“It’s something that doesn’t have to do anything with sport,” he said. “It’s something that affects a certain part of the population.”
[…] bucking a trend to not comment on controversial issues (see Carlos Beltrán), San Francisco Giants pitcher Ramón Ramírez responded today to Friday's […]
[…] in the last few months, that is what has happened. Take the case of Puerto Rican and San Francisco Giant Carlos Beltrán, when asked at the All-Star Game this year about the recent anti-immigrant and anti-Latino climate […]