Baseball's Olympic Prospects: Will MLB Players Shine in 2028?
As the world eagerly anticipates the return of baseball to the Olympic stage, numerous discussions have sparked around Major League Baseball (MLB) players' potential participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The baseball and softball events, absent from the Paris 2024 Olympics, are expected to make a comeback in 2028, and with that, the possibility of MLB stars competing is a tantalizing prospect.
Major League Baseball currently has a policy that excludes players on 40-man rosters from Olympic participation. However, there's growing momentum and public support from some of the sport's biggest names advocating for a change. Among the most vocal are Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, who have expressed their desire to see MLB players granted eligibility for the Olympics.
New York Yankees' standout outfielder Aaron Judge has also joined the chorus. Judge, who is achieving phenomenal success this season with a slash line of .321/.456/.691 and 41 home runs, has made clear his ambitions to represent his country on the international stage. He stated, "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."
Judge continued, reflecting on how he had never been part of Team USA during his amateur career. "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." At 36 years old during the 2028 Olympics, Judge would still likely be considered in his prime, especially considering his current remarkable form.
Additionally, Judge acknowledges his primary focus rests with the New York Yankees, with whom he recently signed a nine-year contract. He elaborated, "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."
The stance of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on this matter could potentially tip the scales. Manfred has indicated an "open-minded" approach towards revisiting the eligibility of MLB players for the Olympics. This willingness to explore new options might pave the way for a historic moment in the sport.
Precedent exists for professional players competing in the Olympics. Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) paused its season during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, allowing its best players to compete. This decision paid off handsomely for Japan, which won the gold medal in baseball. If similar steps were taken by MLB, it could enrich the sport's global appeal and competitive integrity at the Olympics.
Looking beyond Los Angeles, Brisbane, Australia, is set to host the Summer Olympics in 2032. This long-term future further highlights the need to consider how professional leagues and international competitions can coexist harmoniously, providing the best possible platform for players and fans alike.
The potential inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics fundamentally underscores the evolving relationship between professional baseball and international competitions. It represents a bold step that could redefine the boundaries of the sport, bringing together the highest caliber of athletes to compete on one of the world's grandest stages.