Phillies’ Bryce Harper hopes MLB allows players in Olympics

PHILADELPHIA — The International Olympic Committee announced Monday that baseball and softball will return to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles — and Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper said he would love to play and hopes Major League Baseball will allow its players to participate.

“My wife had a hair appointment this morning and she texted me ‘Happy Birthday’ with this,” Harper said before Monday’s NLCS opener, which falls on his 31st birthday. “She said, ‘Hey, I guess one of your birthday wishes came true forever [granted].’ I’m going to be old by then, so I don’t know if they’ll want me on the team, but it’s still a dream. I think it’s everyone’s dream to participate in the Olympics, especially here. »

Baseball was called an exhibition sport at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, then had official activity from 1992 to 2008. Professional players were allowed for the first time in 2000, but MLB refused to release its players. minor leagues therefore filled the American rosters. The IOC removed baseball from the program after 2008, but it returned when Tokyo hosted the 2020 Olympics (held in 2021).

Nippon Professional Baseball suspended its season and allowed its top professionals to compete, but the U.S. roster once again included minor leagues.

Harper said he hoped MLB and its owners would let the major leagues play in 2028.

“You talk about growing the game and that’s how you grow it to the highest peak. You have guys playing in the league taking that break, just like in the NHL, and seeing what happens “, did he declare. “I think it would be really cool and a lot of fun.

“I don’t know if they’ll ever get there, but I would love to put ‘USA’ on my chest and represent it at the highest level. I know the WBC, and everyone loves it and it’s great for the Thursday, but it’s not the Olympics.