As the Winter Olympics captivate fans worldwide, another international spectacle looms on the horizon: the World Baseball Classic (WBC). In just two weeks, baseball players from across the globe will compete in this thrilling tournament, where Team Japan triumphed over Team USA in the last championship. Several Milwaukee Brewers are set to participate in this year's WBC, with even more players and coaches having strong Milwaukee connections.
While baseball enjoys its own global competition, its relationship with the Olympics has been anything but smooth. Officially included as an Olympic sport in 1992, baseball featured in every Summer Games until 2008 in Beijing.
However, it was absent in 2012 and 2016, only to make a comeback in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Unfortunately, it missed out again in the 2024 Paris Games.
The good news for baseball enthusiasts is that the sport is set to return to the Olympic stage in 2028 when the games head to Los Angeles. The big question remains whether MLB players will be eligible to compete, as those on 40-man rosters were not allowed in 2021. Despite this uncertainty, one former Brewer, now an MLB manager, is eager to take the helm of Team USA.
Mark Kotsay, once a Brewers outfielder and now managing the Athletics, expressed his desire to coach the 2028 USA Olympic team. In a conversation with AJ Pierzynski on Foul Territory, Kotsay made his intentions clear, hoping to add another medal to his collection.
The logistics for the 2028 games are still being ironed out, with ongoing discussions about whether MLB will pause its season to allow participation. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has hinted at "a lot of momentum" for allowing MLB players to join the Olympics.
For this to happen, MLB might consider an extended All-Star break, pushing the season's end to accommodate the games scheduled for July 14-30, 2028. Kotsay, who enjoyed a brief yet impactful stint in Milwaukee, is keen to be involved. He acknowledges, though, that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts might be a frontrunner for the role if MLB managers are permitted.
Kotsay's Olympic experience includes winning a bronze medal with Team USA in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Whether MLB will adjust its schedule for the 2028 Olympics remains to be seen. If they do, a few Brewers might find themselves vying for gold, potentially under the guidance of a former Brewer leading them to victory.