Baseball's Olympic Hopes: The Road to Los Angeles 2028
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will proceed without baseball and softball, a decision that left many fans and players alike disappointed. However, optimism surrounds the next iteration of the games, as baseball is anticipated to make its return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
One of the significant points of contention has been Major League Baseball's (MLB) policy that excludes players on 40-man rosters from participating in the Olympics. This decision has drawn public responses from several high-profile MLB stars, advocating for a revision that would allow them to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Two of baseball’s biggest names, Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, have been vocal about their support for MLB players' participation in the 2028 Olympics. Echoing similar sentiments is Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ star outfielder, who has made headlines with his aspirations to compete in Los Angeles.
"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," stated Judge. "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, whose current season stats showcase an impressive .321/.456/.691 slash line and 41 home runs, is keen to make his Olympic dreams a reality. To put his current form into perspective, during the same number of team games in 2022, Judge was hitting .300/.397/.674 with 46 home runs, underscoring his consistent prowess at the plate.
By the time the 2028 Olympics take place, Judge will be 36 years old. Despite the passage of time, his ambition remains undiminished. "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," Judge emphasized. "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's commitment to the Yankees is evidenced by his long-term contract, but the allure of donning Team USA’s colors in front of a home crowd offers a unique opportunity that few athletes would want to pass up.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has suggested an open-minded approach to the potential inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics. His stance is crucial, given the league’s influence over the sport and its global reach.
Compounding the push for MLB players' participation is the example set by Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, which paused its season to allow players to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Their commitment paid off, as Japan secured a gold medal in baseball, a historic accomplishment that has not gone unnoticed in the United States.
The anticipation for the Los Angeles 2028 Games is building, and the hope is that it will feature the best talent that baseball has to offer, including its MLB stars. As Judge, Harper, Ohtani, and others continue to press for change, the baseball world watches closely. Their participation would mark a significant moment for the sport, potentially elevating its status on a global platform.
With the Brisbane, Australia, set to host the Summer Olympics in 2032, the immediate focus remains on ensuring that baseball's return in Los Angeles 2028 includes its brightest stars. The next few years will be pivotal in determining the structure and composition of the teams, as players, fans, and officials alike await the decisions that will shape the future of Olympic baseball.