As baseball fans eagerly anticipate the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, an overwhelming sentiment of hope and enthusiasm is bubbling among Major League Baseball (MLB) players. With Paris excluding baseball and softball from its 2024 Olympic program, the Los Angeles Games are seen as a golden opportunity for the sport's comeback to the global stage.
Olympic Dreams on the Horizon
While MLB currently excludes players on 40-man rosters from participating in the Olympics, change may be on the horizon. Notable players like Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani have publicly supported the idea of MLB players being allowed to compete. This potential shift in policy has caught the attention of other prominent figures in the sport, including Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees, who has expressed a strong desire to don the Team USA jersey in 2028.
Judge is eager to take advantage of the rare opportunity to represent his country. "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 said. "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."
A Judge of All Trades
Currently boasting an impressive slash line of .321/.456/.691 with 41 home runs this season, Judge is undoubtedly one of the standout players in MLB. Comparatively, he was hitting .300/.397/.674 with 46 home runs in the same number of games last season, showcasing a consistent level of elite performance. At 36 years old during the 2028 Olympics, Judge would bring a wealth of experience and talent to the field, further elevating Team USA’s prospects.
The Yankees’ outfielder has already signed a nine-year contract with the club, firmly rooting his immediate priorities in New York. "It would be an honor to represent my country and play in that," Judge remarked. "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."
Commissioner's Open-Minded Approach
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted at a potential openness to revisiting the current exclusion policy. When asked about the possibility of MLB players participating in the Olympics, Manfred simply stated he was "open-minded." Should the policy change, it could lead to a historic shift in the relationship between the MLB and international competition.
This scenario recalls a precedent set by Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), which paused its season to allow players to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This strategy paid dividends as Japan won a gold medal in baseball. Manfred's open-minded stance could signal a willingness for MLB to consider a similar approach, potentially leading to a more flexible calendar around the Olympic period.
Looking Toward Los Angeles and Beyond
As the focus gradually shifts to the Los Angeles Games, the baseball community is hopeful that MLB and international baseball authorities will facilitate the participation of top-level talent. The support from high-profile athletes and tentative openness from leadership provide a promising outlook for fans around the world.
In addition, while Los Angeles stands as the next significant milestone, the International Olympic Committee has already announced that Brisbane, Australia, will be hosting the Summer Olympics in 2032. With a growing interest in baseball and potential adjustments to player eligibility, the chapters ahead look promising for the sport on the global stage.
From Judge’s earnest aspirations to potential leaps in policy, the road to the 2028 Olympics is paved with possibilities. Should the gates open for MLB stars, a more vibrant and competitive baseball tournament could elevate the experience, drawing millions of fans into the excitement of Olympic baseball once more.