Why Dave Roberts’ 2028 Olympics Dream Could Change Baseball Forever

With the 2028 Summer Olympics headed back to Los Angeles, the spotlight naturally falls on Dodger Stadium as it prepares to host baseball once again — a moment steeped in history and ripe with fresh intrigue. Dodgers’ skipper Dave Roberts, a UCLA alum and a man who’s led his club with poise and grit, hasn’t minced words about his desire to steer Team USA in this global showcase. Calling it a “no-brainer,” Roberts is eager to take on the challenge, blending hometown pride with national ambition. But here’s the kicker: while the calendar still feels comfortably distant—nearly five years away—there’s a maze of logistics to untangle before the first pitch is even thrown. The big question hanging over the diamond? Whether major league stars will don the stars and stripes, a move that’d shake up the MLB season and require some serious cooperation at the highest levels. Rob Manfred’s recent optimism hints at progress, but keep in mind, negotiations and scheduling puzzles remain. As nostalgic as the scene is—Dodger Stadium last hosted Olympic baseball as a demonstration sport back in ’84—this upcoming summer showdown promises richer stakes. The legacy of former Dodgers who’ve guided Team USA to Olympic podium finishes only adds to the narrative Roberts is now stepping into. Trust me, this story’s got all the ingredients: hometown hero, Olympic dreams, and the delicate dance of pro schedules. Keep your eye on it. LEARN MORE.

The Summer Olympics are coming to Los Angeles in 2028, and baseball will be played at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wants to be involved, telling Dylan Hernández of the California Post that he wants to manage Team USA.

From Hernández:

“I went to school here,” the UCLA graduate said. “I manage the Dodgers.

“It’s a no-brainer.”

There’s a seemingly long time between now and the 2028 Olympics, but also a lot of logistical items to be resolved. But aside from that, there’s also the question of whether major league players would be allowed to play in the Olympics, which would require a disruption to the MLB schedule that season.

During the World Series last October, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred expressed optimism that a deal could be struck between the league’s owners and the player’s union for MLB players to be used in the Olympics, per Bill Shaikin at the Los Angeles Times:

“I am positive about it. … I think the owners have crossed the line in terms of, we’d like to do it if we can possibly make it work, but there are logistical issues that still need to be worked through.”

The schedule for the 2028 Olympics runs from July 14-30. When baseball will be played hasn’t been finalized, but Dodger Stadium will host the games, as it did in 1984 when the Summer Olympics were last in Los Angeles. Back then, baseball was only a demonstration sport in the Olympics. Baseball was an official medal sport from 1992 to 2008, and again in the 2020 Olympics, which were played in 2021.

Team USA did not qualify for the Olympics in 2024, and were led by college coaches in the 1992 and 1996 games. Since then, the team has been managed in Olympic play by former Dodgers.

In 2000, Tommy Lasorda managed Team USA to a gold medal in Sydney. Davey Johnson, who managed the Dodgers from ., helmed Team USA to a bronze medal in 2008 in Beijing., Longtime Dodgers catcher and Angels manager Mike Scioscia led the team to silver in 2021 in Tokyo, with a team that included former Dodgers Edwin Jackson and Tim Federowicz.