Baseball's Olympic Dreams: MLB Stars Eye 2028 Los Angeles Games
As the Olympic flag prepares to wave in Paris in 2024, some notable sports will be conspicuously absent. Among them are baseball and softball, beloved sports that will miss out on the Parisian stage. However, hope is on the horizon for fans and players alike, as baseball is anticipated to make its triumphant return to the Olympic program in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has historically excluded players on 40-man rosters from participating in the Olympics. This has been a point of contention and disappointment for many elite players. Nonetheless, change might be in the air. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has already hinted at an open-minded approach regarding the inclusion of MLB stars in the 2028 Olympics.
One of the sport's biggest names, Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees, has publicly shared his aspirations to compete on the global stage. "I'd love to play. If they give us the opportunity -- I don't know what the ruling or anything has come out about that -- but I'm all in on that. There's very few opportunities to get to do that and especially, hopefully, in the prime of my career where I can still do it and make an impact, I'd love to. I've never represented my country before, never got invited to those Team USA (camps as an amateur), never really made the cut for those. Hopefully now I can make the cut," Judge expressed with palpable enthusiasm.
At 36 years old during the 2028 Olympics, Judge remains optimistic about an opportunity to don the Team USA jersey. And with his stellar performance in the current season, boasting a remarkable slash line of .321/.456/.691 with 41 home runs, Judge's ambition is well within reach.
Reflecting on his long-term commitments, Judge also highlighted his priorities. "It would be an honor to represent my country and play in that. But my main goal is what I can do here in New York and what I can do to bring a championship back here. I think especially after signing a nine-year contract, for me, priorities are New York. Maybe four years down the road, hopefully I can still make the team and get an opportunity to play. But right now for me, my focus is here." Indeed, Judge’s focus on his commitment to the Yankees is unwavering, yet his dreams of Olympic gold are equally compelling.
Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, other marquee names in baseball, have likewise endorsed the idea of MLB players partaking in the 2028 Olympics. Their support further broadens the conversation about the future of baseball on the Olympic stage.
Notably, Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball serves as an encouraging precedent. The league paused its season during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, granting its players the chance to compete. The result was a resounding success, as Japan clinched the gold medal in baseball. This move not only illustrated the benefits of allowing top-tier professionals to compete but also set a benchmark for other leagues to consider.
As the excitement builds towards the 2028 Los Angeles Games, it's evident that the potential inclusion of MLB stars could elevate the profile of baseball in the Olympics. The chance to see players like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Shohei Ohtani on the Olympic diamond is a tantalizing prospect for fans around the world.
Yet, the road ahead is filled with logistical challenges and decisions to be made by the MLB and other stakeholders. Commissioner Rob Manfred's openness to the possibility remains a beacon of hope. Only time will tell if the likes of Aaron Judge and other MLB stars will get their shot at Olympic glory.
Meanwhile, the sporting world will turn its gaze towards Brisbane, Australia, set to host the Summer Olympics in 2032, continuing the ever-evolving journey of Olympic sports and the athletes who dream of competing on its grandest stage.