As the Olympic flame will shine brightly over Paris in 2024, baseball and softball will be notably absent from the program. However, the future holds promise for the sport as baseball is anticipated to make a grand return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This anticipated comeback stirs excitement and has already sparked discussions among some of Major League Baseball’s biggest stars.
A key topic in these discussions is the potential inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics. Currently, MLB excludes players on 40-man rosters from participating in the Olympics. This restriction has been met with a mixture of disappointment and resolve by several prominent players, who have begun to publicly express their aspirations to represent their countries on the international stage.
Star Players Eager to Participate
One such voice is Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees. Judge, who has already penned his name into the annals of baseball history with his impressive performances, shared his enthusiasm about the prospect of 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 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."
Judge's dream of representing Team USA is shared by other marquee names such as Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, who have publicly voiced their support for MLB players’ participation in the 2028 Olympics. This potential shift has been bolstered by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who recently signaled an open-minded stance on the matter with his succinct statement, "Open-minded."
Judge, however, remains firmly committed to his primary responsibility: contributing to the success of the Yankees. "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," he stated. Given his nine-year contract with the Yankees, Judge emphasized that his current focus remains on delivering results for his team. "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."
A Stellar Career in the Making
Judge's commitment to excellence on the field is evident in his current season statistics. As of now, he boasts a remarkable slash line of .321/.456/.691, coupled with 41 home runs. This stellar performance builds upon his prior success, with last year's corresponding team games stats showing a .300/.397/.674 slash line and 46 home runs. These numbers highlight Judge's consistent impact and underscore his suitability for potential Olympic participation in 2028 when he would be 36 years old.
Adding further credence to the potential inclusion of MLB players in the Olympics is the precedent set by Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the NPB paused its season, allowing its players to compete. This strategic decision paid off spectacularly as Japan clinched the gold medal in baseball. This approach provides a compelling case study that MLB might consider as it deliberates on its own players' participation.
Looking Towards Los Angeles
The anticipated inclusion of baseball in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has already begun to build excitement among fans and players alike. With key figures like Judge and Ohtani rallying for the opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage, the discussions around MLB players' participation are gaining significant momentum. The world will be watching as these conversations unfold, and players remain hopeful that they will get the chance to don their national colors and compete for Olympic glory.
As the sports world sets its sights on the 2028 Olympics, there is a palpable anticipation surrounding baseball’s return. With influential voices within the sport advocating for change, the inclusion of MLB players could transform the competition and elevate the profile of Olympic baseball to new heights. Whether this dream becomes a reality remains to be seen, but the commitment and enthusiasm of players like Aaron Judge ensure that the conversation is far from over.