Baseball and Softball Left Out of Paris 2024 Olympics
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach, fans and athletes alike will witness the absence of two beloved sports: baseball and softball. This decision has left many in the baseball community disappointed, but hope is on the horizon as the sports are expected to make a triumphant return during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The Anticipated Return in 2028
The baseball world is buzzing with speculation about Major League Baseball (MLB) players potentially participating in the 2028 Olympics. Historically, MLB has excluded players on 40-man rosters from Olympic participation, but there is a growing movement advocating for change. High-profile stars such as Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani have openly expressed their support for MLB inclusion in the Olympics, and they are not alone. Aaron Judge, the star outfielder for the New York Yankees, is also eager to seize this rare opportunity.
"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," said 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's enthusiasm is palpable, and his on-field performance supports his case. Currently boasting a slash line of .321/.456/.691 with 41 home runs, Judge is proving he has the skills to compete at the highest level. Comparatively, in the same number of team games in 2022, he was hitting .300/.397/.674 with 46 home runs, underscoring his consistency and prowess as a hitter.
A Long-Term Commitment to the Yankees
Despite his aspirations of Olympic glory, Judge remains steadfastly committed to his team. Having signed a nine-year contract with the New York Yankees, he acknowledges the primary focus remains on bringing a championship back to 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," 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."
MLB's Potential Policy Shift
The inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics hinges on the league's willingness to adapt. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated an "open-minded" stance on the matter, sparking optimism among players and fans. This potential policy shift mirrors Japan's approach during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Nippon Professional Baseball paused its season to allow its players to compete. The result? Japan clinched a gold medal in baseball, a victory that demonstrated the value of allowing top-tier talent to participate.
Looking Forward to Brisbane 2032
As the clock ticks down to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, eyes are also turning to Brisbane, Australia, the host city for the 2032 Summer Olympics. While discussions about MLB player participation focus on the near future, the long-term vision includes global celebrations of baseball talent, underscoring the sport's enduring appeal.
The prospect of seeing stars like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Shohei Ohtani don their national jerseys is a tantalizing one. As the countdown to 2028 continues, the anticipation builds, and the baseball community clings to the hope that MLB's best will finally have the chance to shine on the Olympic stage.