You can add Aaron Judge to the list of players with Olympic dreams. Earlier this season Bryce Harper shared how he dreams of representing the United States in the grandest stage of them all. However, for All Rise, this is more than just a chance at gold – he wants to represent the country. After all, despite being one of the biggest stars in baseball today, Judge hasn’t been a part of Team USA.

That is an unexpected situation but one that isn’t surprising. The New York Yankees captain didn’t play in the 2023 WBC. Imagine, Mike Trout and Aaron Judge facing Shohei Ohtani in the WBC final. That’s what the world missed but more importantly, that is what Judge missed. Now in an interview with the New York Post (requires subscription), Judge has expressed regrets about missing international baseball.

“I’d love to play,” Aaron Judge said about the 2028 Olympics. “If they give us the opportunity — I don’t know what the ruling is or if anything has come out about that. But I’m all in on that.” However, it was here that Judge revealed interesting and somewhat shocking information. “I’ve never represented my country before, never got invited to those Team USA camps, never really made the cut for those,” Judge revealed. So has he never been invited to Team USA camps?

That wouldn’t be completely right to say. During the 2023 WBC, Judge was the one to refuse participation. He had just signed a $360 million deal with the New York Yankees and been named its captain. As a result, his priorities shifted to improving the team, and due to his tiresome 2022, Judge couldn’t afford to give time to WBC. So irrespective of the invitation, Judge didn’t want to be there. But the Olympics are different, the Olympics are big.

Why the road to the Olympics is tough for Aaron Judge

For starters, Aaron Judge is 32 this year. By the time of the 2028 Olympics, he will be 36. Is there a guarantee that he’ll be able to maintain his current form 4 years from now? Judge’s injury record is already not very good and that makes it a touch-and-go situation for him in 2028. More importantly, the US and MLB’s Olympic policy too makes things difficult for All Rise.

The selection system prohibits active MLB players from participating in the tournament. The rule states that either a player outside of the 40-men roster or an amateur can enter the Olympics. On top of that, unlike the National Hockey League, MLB doesn’t give a break during the Olympics. As a result, if any major league player wants to play in the Olympics, he’ll have to give up on his MLB earnings. That is a huge ask, especially from a player like Aaron Judge who is bound by a huge contract. 

So in the end, Aaron Judge may not have played for Team USA but it isn’t like he never had the chance. However, as the WBC 2026 and Olympics 2028 get near, he sure has an itch to wear the USA’s colors. Hopefully, that itch will end soon. After all, Judge’s mere presence can make any baseball tournament bigger than ever.