Manfred optimistic about MLB players participating in '28 Olympics

The Winter Olympics are currently taking place in Italy, and with the Games come national pride and thrilling competitions for fans of sport all over the world.

In 2028, the Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, and there’s a possibility that for the first time in history, Major League players will take part in the baseball tournament.

Following an owner’s meeting on Thursday, Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism that MLB players will participate when the 2028 Olympic baseball tournament is played at Dodger Stadium from July 13-19, during what would be an extended All-Star break.

An agreement with the MLB Players Association must be reached before that can happen, but Manfred said there has been forward progress on that front.

“I think that we’re a lot closer to [an agreement] than the last time we talked about it,” Manfred said. “There are some issues with the MLBPA that we just need to resolve. I sense a lot of momentum towards playing in L.A. in 2028. I think we’re going to get over those issues.”

The last time Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics was in 1984 (it also hosted them one other time, in 1932). Team USA finished runner-up in the demonstration baseball tournament after losing to Japan in the championship game.

The collegiate talent on that U.S. squad was some of the best assembled -- of the 20 players on the roster, 13 were drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft that year. Another five were selected in the first round in 1985.

The group included future All-Stars Will Clark, Barry Larkin and Mark McGwire. Bobby Witt, father of current Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., was also on that team.

If MLB players do take part in the 2028 Summer Games, it will be a historic moment for the national pastime, adding another avenue by which big leaguers can compete on the international stage, along with the World Baseball Classic -- the sixth edition of which will take place next month.

“I think people have come to appreciate that the Olympics on U.S. soil is a unique marketing opportunity for the game,” Manfred said. “I think we’ve got a lot of players interested in doing it and I feel pretty good about the idea that we’ll get there.”