The 2024 Paris Olympics is over. Baseball will be a medal sport once more. Major League Baseball (MLB) players can play. Right? Not so fast.
Baseball is the national game of America, but the US men's baseball team has one Olympic gold medal. Only. Many baseball sports fans find it hard to believe, but the bigwigs of MLB aren't too keen to let their top players represent the USA every four years. Will the MLB let the season be cut short for the sake of the Olympic spirit?
The bigwigs of the National Hockey League (NHL) have done such a selfless act, as a shorter season would mean less profit. It remains to be seen if MLB would follow it, but the Players Association are unsure about such a move. Furthermore, the clubs couldn't risk their top players to get injured during the summer. MLB did allow MLB players to compete in Tokyo, but these players weren't included in the 40-player roster.
In other words, these players didn't generate the buzz that the biggest MLB stars, or the other sports superstars, could do. Last but not the least, the doping issue would be a red flag. The International Olympics Committee (OIC) can't take more of that. If we put these issues aside, then we must ask ourselves about the importance of baseball. Does it deserve a place in the Olympic program? Yes.
Baseball is the national game of America, and other countries would find it appealing. Cuba is a three-time Olympic champion. This island nation also won the most Olympic medals in the sport. Fidel Castro might have reservations, though.
Japan, the current Olympic champ, has won four Olympic medals. And so did the US. Baseball's appeal rubbed off on East Asia, such that Taiwan and South Korea have medalled in the baseball Olympics. And the Dominican Republic is another island nation who had Olympic success in the baseball field. It's only a matter of when.
Salty basketball fans were pained to admit that the US men's basketball team, the Redeem 2.0 team, was too good for the other qualified teams in men's basketball. They were the biggest stars of the National Basketball Association (NBA) who won the gold for America for the fifth successive time. Non-baseball fans would wonder why can't MLB do the same thing. Some MLB players have interesting responses.
“You want to grow the game, right?” Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper said. "Why wouldn’t you want to grow it at the peak [of sports]?”
Japanese star Shohei Atani, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has this to say: “I’d like to play in the Olympics. Also, knowing the fact that there will be non-baseball fans watching the games as well, I think it would be really good for the baseball industry.”
Both players would love to represent their respective countries in the 2028 Los Angeles Games if the big bosses of the MLB would give the go signal. We're thinking about a Dream Team that would make the US regain the Olympic title.
Here they are:
Catcher: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
Adley Rutschman, a native of Portland, Oregon, is the best catcher in the MLB right now. He thrives off the bat. And he's only 26 years of age. We don't see him as an over-the-hill baseball player before the 2028 Summer Olympics.
First base: Triston Casas (Boston Red Sox)
Triston Coves, who hails from Pembroke Pines, Florida, has done nothing but hit since his debut in 2019. His numbers in the minor leagues were impressive, and it became bigger when he became a MLB regular. Expect the Red Sox 1B to be an All-Star player by 2028.
Second base: Jackson Holliday (Baltimore Orioles)
The Texan is only 20 years of age. That says a lot at this very moment. No one would doubt his capabilities four years from now.
Third base: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
The son of Alabama is MVP caliber. It's possible that he would be moved from third base, but he's still one of those players to watch out for.
Shortstop: Bobby Witt, Jr. (Kansas City Royals)
This Texan native is one fun player to watch - and one of the best. He's 24 years of age, so we see his star shining in the coming years. Witt has the capacity to hit for average. His speed would impress players and fans alike. And his fielding at the position of shortstop would make him head and shoulders above the rest.
Outfield: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
The Sacramento native will be 36 years old in 2028, but we don't see his skills declining. Many fans notice his enthusiasm, which is a big plus, and he wants to represent the U-S-A in the Summer Olympics. Anyone who doubts us should check his stats. It hasn't gone down since he became a household name.
Outfield: Riley Greene (Detroit Tigers)
Riley Greene, a native of Orlando, Florida, has power. And lots of it. Baseball fans noticed the strides he made with his plate discipline, which made him better. And dangerous.
Outfield: James Wood (Washington Nationals)
James Wood, who hails from Rockville, Maryland, is 6 feet 7 inches tall. The lefty batsman has fared nicely so far, yet many see him living up to his potential, and hype, very soon. He's only 21.
Hitter: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
This Las Vegas kid is excited to play in the Olympics. He'll be 35 by 2028, which is not old, or declining, by his standard. A very potent hitter who doesn't show signs that he would be gone for good sooner or later. It doesn't happen to great players (like him).
Pitcher: Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Paul Skenes is the most hyped pitcher since Stephen Strasburg (of the Washington Nationals). He was a full ace when he debuted in the MLB. He'll be special by 2028. He's 22.
What do you think?
Keep in touch with OKBet, the most reliable sports betting platform in Asia. If you want to know what’s happening in the world of sports, whether it’s basketball, football or any other sport, OKBet will keep you fully informed. And you have a chance to gamble and get rewards. Log on now to OKBet!
