The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will proceed without baseball and softball, but fans of America’s pastime can take solace in the fact that baseball is expected to make its return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This brings a tantalizing prospect: the potential participation of Major League Baseball (MLB) players, something that has been a hot topic among both the players and the league management.
Stars Voice Their Support for Olympic Participation
One of the biggest proponents of MLB players taking the Olympic stage is Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees. In a recent statement, Judge expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "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. 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's desire to don the national colors isn’t just a fleeting thought but a well-considered aspiration. With a nine-year contract secured with the Yankees, and his current performance boasting a slash line of .321/.456/.691 with 41 home runs this season, Judge aims to contribute not just at the club level but also on an international stage. He acknowledges, however, that his current priority remains with New York: "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."
Momentum Building for MLB Player Inclusion
Judge isn't alone in advocating for MLB representation in the Olympics. Both Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani have openly expressed their support for participating in the 2028 Olympic Games, signaling a broader sentiment within the league. This growing chorus is further echoed by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who has taken a notably open-minded stance on the matter, stating simply, "Open-minded."
The precedent for professional baseball players participating in the Olympics was set during the 2021 Tokyo Games when Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball paused its season to allow its players to compete. The result was a resounding success as Japan clinched the gold medal in baseball, a feat that has not gone unnoticed by MLB stakeholders and fans alike.
Currently, players on the 40-man rosters in MLB are excluded from Olympic participation. This regulation, if revisited, could pave the way for stars like Aaron Judge to shine on an international stage where baseball has a significant following.
A Glimpse at 2028
As we look ahead to Los Angeles in 2028, the prospects for MLB players participating in the Olympics could transform the competitive landscape of Olympic baseball. Aaron Judge, who will be 36 years old by then, remains a formidable player whose current season statistics compete with his impressive 2022 metrics of .300/.397/.674 with 46 home runs. His ambition to make a mark in the Olympics highlights his enduring prowess and dedication to the sport.
If MLB and the International Olympic Committee can reach a consensus, the inclusion of MLB players would certainly elevate the profile of baseball in the Olympics, attracting more fans and spotlighting more talent. Such a milestone would reflect the global appeal of baseball and provide a platform for some of MLB's best to represent their countries.
Beyond 2028, the Summer Olympics in Brisbane, Australia, set for 2032, will offer yet another opportunity for baseball to captivate audiences worldwide. The question for many fans and athletes remains: Will MLB’s finest get the chance to compete in 2028 and set a precedent for future Olympic Games?
As it stands, the enthusiasm among players like Aaron Judge and the open-mindedness of MLB leadership suggest a bright future for baseball on the Olympic stage. For now, the fans can only hope that the powers that be align to make this dream a reality.