Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
With baseball being announced as one of the sports on the schedule at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, there has been speculation about the possibility of Major League players participating.
In past Olympic Games, the United States baseball team consisted of collegiate and Minor League players due to the event coinciding with the MLB regular season.
However, commissioner Rob Manfred recently expressed confidence that MLB players would be able to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics. For that to happen, the league and the Players Association (MLBPA) will need to reach an agreement with LA28, the organizing committee for the 2028 Olympics.
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Max Muncy isn’t quite as optimistic because the All-Star break would have to be extended and the extra risk of injury, via “Foul Territory”:
“The thing with professional players in the Olympics is that it would create such a long break in the middle of the summer. I don’t know if that’s a reasonable thing to do. You’re not going to continue the season with star players not playing for their teams. If they’re going to be in the Olympics, you’re not going to keep the season going. I don’t know if I have a good answer to that. Would I like to see it? Maybe. But at the same time, that’s kind of what the WBC is for. It’s almost like Olympic baseball, just not in the Olympics.”
As Muncy pointed out, there would certainly have to be a longer pause in the MLB regular schedule to accommodate the 2028 Summer Olympics. Manfred previously suggested that the 2028 All-Star break could be closer to two weeks as opposed to the usual five days to fit in the Olympic Games.
While the World Baseball Classic is similar to the event, it would be special for MLB players to participate in the first Summer Olympic Games held in the United States since 1996.
The 2028 Summer Olympic baseball games are set to be played July 13-19, while that year’s Midsummer Classic is scheduled to take place on July 11, potentially at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Dave Roberts wants to manage Team USA in 2028 Summer Olympics
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes he would be an ideal candidate to lead the United States baseball team in the 2028 Summer Olympics, citing his ties to Los Angeles.
It would also be fitting for Roberts to manage Team USA in the 2028 Summer Olympics since Dodger Stadium is the host venue for the baseball games.
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