The Future of Baseball in the Olympics
The longstanding relationship between the Olympics and baseball seems to be on again, with another chance for reconciliation set for 2028. This leads to speculation about what the rosters for the Olympics could look like.
Commissioner Rob Manfred recently expressed openness to the possibility of major leaguers participating. However, the history of baseball in the Olympics has seen its fair share of challenges. After being dropped in 2008, the sport made a comeback in Japan in 2021 only to be left out again this year in Paris.
Looking ahead to the Los Angeles Games in four years, it remains to be seen how the roster selection process will unfold. In Tokyo, Major League Baseball limited participation to players not on 40-man rosters, with many eligible prospects also being blocked by their teams. The potential health risks were highlighted by Edwin Díaz’s season-ending injury at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
One proposed compromise is to exclude active major leaguers from the Olympics but allow top prospects who are yet to reach the majors to compete. This approach could resemble the All-Star Futures Game, creating a buzz around the tournament.
In the 2000 Olympics, future big leaguer Ben Sheets played a critical role in securing a gold medal for the U.S. by shutting out a powerful Cuban team. With advancements in scouting and access to prospect information, the 2024 Games could showcase the game’s best minor leaguers. Imagine a lineup filled with promising talents like Dylan Crews and Marcelo Mayer, both highly ranked prospects by MLB Pipeline.
While these players may not be household names, they could capture the attention of baseball enthusiasts. Whether such a team could clinch victory is uncertain, given the stiff competition. In 2021, Nippon Professional Baseball’s interruption of the season played a crucial role in Japan’s gold medal win over the U.S.
As the U.S. prepares to host the Olympics in four years, the baseball tournament presents a unique opportunity for the players, owners, and Manfred to shape the future of the sport in the Games.
Trivia Time:
Who managed the U.S. baseball team to gold in 2000?
Line of the Week:
Kyle Schwarber’s exceptional performance, including three home runs and seven RBIs, led the Philadelphia Phillies to victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite this success, the Phillies’ form dipped in subsequent games, losing 16 of their last 23.
Comeback of the Week:
The Colorado Rockies staged an impressive comeback by scoring seven runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Atlanta Braves. This turnaround snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, as the Braves had a 99.5% win probability according to Baseball Savant. Atlanta’s recent struggles have left them with a narrow lead in the National League’s wild card race.
Trivia Answer:
Tommy Lasorda. One of Lasorda’s former players, Mike Scioscia, came close to guiding the U.S. to gold in 2021.
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