Baseball and softball fans worldwide were disappointed by the announcement that these sports would be left out of the Olympic program in Paris in 2024. However, the anticipation is building for their expected return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. This revelation brings renewed hope to players and fans who view the Olympics as an elite platform for showcasing talent and national pride.
One of the most notable players expressing a keen interest in participating in the 2028 Olympics is Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees. Judge, who is currently having an extraordinary season with a slash line of .321/.456/.691 and 41 home runs, is no stranger to the limelight. By the time 2028 rolls around, Judge will be 36 years old. Despite the age, he remains optimistic about the opportunity to don the Team USA jersey.
"I'd love to play," Judge said. "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 enthusiasm is shared by several prominent figures in Major League Baseball. Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani have also publicly supported MLB players participating in the 2028 Olympics. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has adopted an open-minded stance on this issue, indicating a potential shift in policy that would align Major League Baseball more closely with international competition norms. This would be a significant change from the current rule excluding players on 40-man rosters from Olympic competition.
Manfred's willingness to reconsider this rule draws parallels with Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, which paused its season during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, allowing its players to compete and win a gold medal. This move was widely praised and demonstrated that the integration of professional players can enhance the competition's quality while increasing viewer interest.
Despite his eagerness to represent the United States, Judge remains focused on his responsibilities with the Yankees. Signed to a nine-year contract, his loyalty to the team is unwavering. "It would be an honor to represent my country and play in that," he commented. "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."
The potential inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics could mark a turning point in how the sport is perceived on the global stage. It would not only allow MLB stars to showcase their talents but also foster a sense of unity and national pride among players and fans alike. With the Brisbane Olympics in 2032 already on the horizon, the decisions made today could shape the future of baseball in international competitions.
Aaron Judge’s aspirations underscore the importance of the Olympics in the hearts of athletes, even those who have reached the pinnacle of their profession in Major League Baseball. As discussions continue and policies evolve, the prospect of seeing players like Judge, Harper, and Ohtani on the Olympic diamond is an exciting one for the sport's global community. The road to 2028 might be long, but the destination promises to be worth the wait.