With the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics officially in the books, baseball fans are already looking ahead to the 2028 games in Los Angeles, where the sport is set to make its return.
Currently, MLB players are ineligible to participate, but there is growing momentum among major league stars advocating for their inclusion.
Among those voicing strong support for MLB players in the Olympics are Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani. Now, another high-profile name has expressed interest: New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.
Judge affirmed his enthusiasm for the prospect of competing in the 2028 Games if MLB players are granted the 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,” Judge told the New York Post.
“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 is in the middle of another phenomenal season in pinstripes. He’s currently batting .329 with 42 home runs, 107 RBIs and a mind-blowing 1.162 OPS.
He seems to be well on his way towards winning the American League MVP Award.
Now at 32 years old, Judge will be 36 by the time the 2028 Olympics roll around. While age can impact performance, exceptional talents like Judge may continue to excel despite the typical aging curve.
Whether Judge will remain one of Team USA’s top outfielders or designated hitters in 2028 is uncertain, but his dedication and skill make him a strong candidate.
Judge had previously declined an opportunity to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic last season, focusing instead on his commitment to the Yankees.
“It would be an honor to represent my country and play in that,” Judge told FOX Sports. “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.”
While representing your country is the ultimate honor, Yankee fans certainly loved the loyalty and commitment Judge expressed with that statement.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated a willingness to consider the inclusion of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics, though there are logistical challenges to address, particularly concerning the regular season schedule.
In 2021, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball paused its season to allow its top players to compete in the Olympics, which resulted in a gold medal for Japan.
The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles present a unique opportunity for MLB players to participate in a prestigious international tournament.
With the games being held on home soil, travel logistics will be more manageable compared to the 2024 Paris and 2032 Brisbane locations.
What are your thoughts on the situation? … Should MLB players be allowed to compete for Team USA in the 2028 Olympics???