Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Rob Manfred isn’t budging: MLB won’t cancel its 2028 All-Star Game just to make room for the Los Angeles Olympics. There’s ongoing talk about how MLB players might finally join Olympic baseball, but honestly, juggling two massive sporting events in a single summer sounds like a logistical headache.
Here’s what’s going on with Manfred’s announcement—and why it matters for MLB, international baseball, and, honestly, anyone who cares about the sport.
MLB’s Historic Stance on Olympic Baseball
MLB has never hit pause on its regular season so big leaguers could play in the Olympics. Instead, Team USA usually cobbles together a roster from minor league and college players.
Fans have always wondered what would happen if the U.S. sent its actual MLB stars to the Games. That lineup? It’s the stuff of baseball daydreams.
Why the 2028 Olympics Could Be Different
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could shake things up. With the Games in the U.S., those usual headaches—international flights, weird time zones—pretty much disappear.
Manfred admits this is a rare opening. He says it’s the kind of opportunity that might let MLB and Olympic organizers figure something out for MLB player participation.
The All-Star Game Stays in Its Slot
The Olympic baseball tournament is set for July 15-20, which lands right around MLB’s All-Star Game. That’s always in mid-July, give or take.
People floated the idea of swapping the All-Star break for the Olympics, but Manfred shot it down. He says MLB isn’t planning to move its signature summer event.
Compromises and Challenges
Manfred tossed out another idea: maybe MLB could stretch its All-Star break a bit. That way, there’d be time for both the All-Star Game and for major leaguers to suit up for Olympic baseball.
He figures the regular season could still wrap up before mid-November, but it’d take some real calendar gymnastics. The challenge? Balancing MLB’s own traditions with the pull of the Olympics.
Why the 2028 Olympics Are a Unique Case
Manfred stressed that any special arrangements for MLB players at the Olympics would probably only happen in 2028. The fact that the Games are in the U.S. makes things easier logistically.
He also credits the good working relationship between MLB and the LA28 organizers for even making these talks possible.
The Fate of Future Olympics
Looking ahead to 2032 in Brisbane, Manfred didn’t sound optimistic. International travel and time zones? That’s a whole different ballgame.
He’s not planning to make similar exceptions for future Olympics. “The special consideration for 2028 isn’t likely to extend to future Olympics,” he said. That seems pretty final.
The Road Ahead: Key Considerations for MLB and Fans
So, what’s next? A few questions keep coming up for MLB fans and everyone else watching this unfold:
- Player Availability: If MLB players do get the green light for 2028, will it be just a handful of stars, or will the Olympic roster pull from across the league?
- Season Schedule: How will MLB juggle its 162-game grind without pushing the postseason into deep November?
- Future Impact: Could this experiment open the door for MLB to play a bigger role on the global sports stage?
Fans everywhere want to see MLB’s best on the Olympic stage. Baseball’s return to the Olympics in 2021 reignited that old spark, and the 2028 Los Angeles Games might be the perfect spot to really show it off.
But with MLB’s traditions, packed calendar, and, let’s face it, its marketing machine, making that leap isn’t easy. It’s going to take a lot of thought—and probably a few arguments—before anything’s set in stone.
Conclusion
Rob Manfred says MLB wants to keep its All-Star Game in 2028. But there’s still a chance big-league players could suit up for Team USA at the Olympics, especially since it’s happening right here at home.
It feels like pro sports are always juggling tradition and new global moments. Will MLB and Olympic organizers figure it out? Guess we’ll have to wait and see if July 2028 turns into something unforgettable in Los Angeles.
Here is the source article for this story: Rob Manfred: MLB won’t cancel the 2028 All-Star Game for the Olympics
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