The buzz around Major League Baseball players potentially joining the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is gaining steam, and San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb is already fired up about the possibility.
Webb is clear about his desire to don the red, white, and blue once more. “If they do it, I'm in,” Webb declared.
He’s already voiced his enthusiasm to key figures like Team USA manager Mark DeRosa and general manager Mike Hill. For Webb, representing his country is an honor he’s eager to experience again.
While MLB players have yet to participate in the Olympics, Commissioner Rob Manfred is optimistic about making it happen. “I think we’re a lot closer to an agreement,” Manfred shared, highlighting ongoing discussions with the MLBPA. The momentum is building, and the 2028 Games in L.A. could be the stage where MLB talent shines.
Few can speak to the Olympic baseball experience like Giants legend Will Clark, who played for Team USA in the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Clark was part of a powerhouse collegiate team that snagged a silver medal in a demonstration tournament at Dodger Stadium. Reflecting on that time, Clark noted, “That one experience probably got me more ready for pro ball than anything.”
Clark’s team, featuring future stars like Barry Larkin and Mark McGwire, faced a grueling pre-Olympic schedule, barnstorming across the country. “Maybe 36 games in 35 days in 32 different cities,” Clark recalled. It was a formative experience that prepared him for the demands of professional baseball.
The emotional weight of representing the USA on such a grand stage wasn’t lost on Clark. “When you run out there and you’ve got USA and you’re representing a whole country, it’s like, ‘Whoa, that’s a different animal,’” he said.
Living in the Olympic Village and mingling with other elite athletes, including basketball icon Michael Jordan, added to the unforgettable experience. “I enjoyed every bit of it,” Clark reminisced.
Despite not clinching gold, the journey was invaluable. “Coming into college, I’d have never thought I’d be on an Olympic team, much less coming home with a medal.
It was pretty awesome.”
As MLB eyes the 2028 Olympics, Clark remains intrigued by the potential shift but appreciates the collegiate roots of Olympic baseball. “I would love it,” he said about MLB participation, while also expressing a fondness for the college model.
“I really enjoy watching the WBC… But I would really enjoy seeing it if it went back to the college ranks and having the college kids play. That’s what I would enjoy.
But we’ll see.”
The anticipation is palpable, and as the pieces fall into place, baseball fans can look forward to what could be a historic moment for the sport on the Olympic stage.