As the sporting world looks forward to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, baseball fans have a renewed reason for excitement. After being left out of the 2024 Paris Olympics, baseball is set to make its return to the Olympic stage in 2028, potentially with Major League Baseball (MLB) players gracing the roster. This potential inclusion has stirred passionate responses from prominent MLB stars and the league's governing bodies.
A Spirited Call for Participation
Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ star outfielder, has been vocal about his aspirations to represent the United States at the 2028 Olympics. "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," Judge expressed. The slugger, who is currently recording an impressive slash line of .321/.456/.691 with 41 home runs this season, continued, "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."
In 2022, at the same number of team games, Judge's statistics were equally stellar, with a .300/.397/.674 line and 46 home runs, showcasing his consistent elite performance. Given that he will be 36 during the 2028 Olympics, Judge remains optimistic about his potential involvement.
The commitment from Judge is underscored by his recent nine-year contract with the Yankees, reaffirming his long-term dedication to the team, while keeping an Olympic ambition in view. "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," he emphasized.
Voices from the Top
Judge is not alone in his aspirations. Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, two other marquee MLB players, have also publicly supported the idea of MLB athletes participating in the 2028 Olympics. Such endorsements from leading players further add momentum to the call for change.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has acknowledged this mounting pressure and has indicated his openness to reevaluating the current stance that excludes MLB players on 40-man rosters from Olympic participation. Manfred's succinct response, "Open-minded," reflects a possible shift in the landscape, generating hopeful anticipation among players and fans alike.
The potential inclusion of MLB players in the Olympics could draw on the precedent set by Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), which paused its season during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This allowed Japanese players to participate, ultimately leading Japan to secure the gold medal in baseball.
A New Era for Olympic Baseball
The reintroduction of baseball to the Olympic program aligns with the broader vision of promoting the sport globally, feeding into the swell of local and international interest. LA 2028 promises to be a pivotal moment, possibly showcasing MLB talent on one of the world’s largest stages. In addition, with Brisbane, Australia, scheduled to host the Summer Olympics in 2032, there is an emerging narrative around how global baseball talent will continue to be spotlighted in the coming years.
As the clock ticks down to 2028, the decisions made in the coming months will be crucial for the future of baseball at the Olympics. The players' desires, coupled with the league’s potential policy shifts, paint a promising picture for the sport’s Olympic prospects. For now, the baseball community remains on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting an official ruling that could unite America's pastime with the grandeur of the Olympic Games.