Yesterday Major League Baseball played its All-Star Game in San Diego with the American League defeating the National League thanks to Eric Hosmer and Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals 4-2. With the victory the junior circuit clinched home field advantage in the World Series in October.
Prior to the game MLB commissioner Rob Manfred held a town hall chat on various topics. One of them was the participation at the Olympics.
Enberg: Didn’t you think that was great at the Derby? Fabulous. This is from Matthew S.: “With baseball and softball becoming more likely to return to the Olympics in 2020, let’s hope so. Is there any chance that Major League Baseball would be willing to consider letting its players compete in the Olympics?”
Commissioner Manfred: Let me say, we think baseball and softball in the Olympics is a great thing for our sport. It promotes the game, and that’s really important. We’re going to meet with International Baseball and Softball Federation later this summer, get a full understanding of the program and what they would like us to do to make a decision.
Enberg: That would be difficult. August is right in the heat of a baseball race, and then to take a key player or two away from a team.
Commissioner Manfred: Look, the calendar presents a huge challenge for us. Dick, you make a great point. We feel we owe it to the sport and to the Olympic movement to hear them out as to what their plan is before we make a decision.