Baseball aficionados worldwide were left disappointed when it was announced that both baseball and softball would not be part of the Olympic program in Paris in 2024. However, hope remains alive as the sports are anticipated to make a comeback in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
One of the significant hurdles for baseball in the Olympics has been the absence of Major League Baseball (MLB) players due to the league’s policy of excluding players on 40-man rosters from participating. Fans and players alike have long wished to witness the sport's biggest stars represent their countries on such a grand stage. This sentiment was echoed by two of the game's brightest stars, Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, who have publicly backed the idea of MLB players participating in the 2028 Olympics.
Aspiring for 2028
New York Yankees' star outfielder Aaron Judge, currently boasting an impressive slash line of .321/.456/.691 with 41 home runs this season, has also thrown his hat into the ring for 2028. Judge, who is savoring another stellar year following a remarkable 2022 season where he was hitting .300/.397/.674 with 46 home runs, has expressed his enthusiasm for potentially competing in the 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 shared. "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, who will be 36 years old during the 2028 Olympics, signed a nine-year contract with the Yankees, emphasizing his commitment to the team. Yet, the Olympics represent a unique opportunity he's eager to seize if granted the chance. "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," Judge stated.
Open-Mindedness of MLB
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has shown a willingness to keep the door open regarding the participation of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics. His "open-minded" stance indicates that discussions may intensify as the event approaches, giving hope to players and fans alike.
Looking at International Comparisons
The Olympic Games have historically seen varied levels of participation from professional baseball leagues. In 2021, Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) paused its season during the Tokyo Olympics, allowing its top players to compete, eventually securing a gold medal in baseball. This decision has been viewed as a model that MLB could consider for future games.
As the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Games begins, the baseball community will closely monitor developments. Will MLB allow its stars to showcase their talents on the Olympic stage? If so, fans could witness a lineup of legendary proportions, with Aaron Judge among those aiming to don their nation’s colors, creating memories for years to come.
The Brisbane, Australia, is set to host the subsequent Summer Olympics in 2032, continuing the cycle of international athletic celebration. Despite the ebbs and flows of Olympic inclusion, baseball's enduring appeal and the fervent desire of its biggest stars to participate suggest that the sport will continue to seek its place in future programs.