Baseball and softball enthusiasts will have to wait longer to see these sports back on the Olympic stage. Despite being excluded from the 2024 Paris Olympic program, there is a glimmer of hope for their return in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This decision, however, has stirred discussions among players and officials about the future involvement of Major League Baseball (MLB) athletes in the elite competition.
Currently, MLB regulations prohibit players on 40-man rosters from participating in the Olympics. This restriction has not gone unnoticed by some of the sport's top stars, who are rallying for change. Notably, Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani have vocally supported the inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics. Their sentiments are echoed by Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees' star outfielder.
Aaron Judge's Olympic Aspirations
Judge has expressed a genuine desire to represent his country on the Olympic stage. "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 stated. He shared his longing to be part of Team USA, a dream not yet realized in his career.
The timing for Judge seems apt, as he will be 36 during the Los Angeles Olympics, still within the window of his nine-year contract with 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 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."
MLB's Stance and Global Context
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has shown an "open-minded" attitude towards the inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics. This stance marks a potential shift that could see some of the game’s best talents vying for Olympic glory. The success of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics provides a compelling precedent. NPB paused its season, allowing its players to compete, and ultimately, Japan secured a gold medal in baseball.
The prospect of integrating MLB players into the Olympic fold poses both logistical and strategic questions, yet it also promises to elevate the competition to unprecedented heights. Ensuring the best athletes are available not only intensifies the level of play but also attracts a global audience. Judge's impressive performance this season, reflected in his .321/.456/.691 slash line and 41 home runs, alongside his stats from the previous year, illustrates the caliber of athletes who could grace the Olympic diamond.
Future Prospects
The potential inclusion of professional MLB players in the Olympics is seen as a positive step by many within the baseball community. It’s an opportunity for the sport to gain international traction and for top athletes to showcase their skills on a global stage. The 2028 Los Angeles Games could witness a historic shift if figures like Aaron Judge, a player at the peak of his powers, are given the platform to compete.
Before that, fans will be looking forward to observing if and how these discussions materialize into policy changes. The decision will not only impact the athletes but also the sport’s global outreach and viewership. Players like Judge, Harper, and Ohtani stand ready to take on the Olympic challenge, pushing for an opportunity to shine beyond the MLB season.
With the 2032 Olympics set to be held in Brisbane, Australia, the window for MLB to make these policy adjustments is somewhat limited. The next few years will be crucial in determining whether baseball, with its full roster of stars, will ascend to its rightful place on the Olympic podium.