Ohtani would like to play at Olympics: 'Really good' for baseball

Baseball's biggest star, Shohei Ohtani, believes MLB participation at the Olympics would be beneficial to the sport, and he wants to play.

"I'd like to play in the Olympics," the Los Angeles Dodgers star told Sports Illustrated's Stephanie Apstein.

"Also, knowing the fact that there will be non-baseball fans watching the games as well, I think it would be really good for the baseball industry."

With baseball not included for the upcoming Paris Olympics, Ohtani is among a group of players hoping to partake at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Baseball was a full-time sport in the Summer Olympics from 1992 through 2008, but it lacked star power with major-leaguers not involved. The International Olympic Committee voted in 2005 to eliminate baseball and softball, although host nations are allowed to include sports that are popular among citizens.

This policy meant a return for baseball at the Tokyo Games and is on the program for 2028 in Los Angeles.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he remains open-minded, while the union's head representative, Tony Clark, plans to add Olympic participation to a list of priorities ahead of collective bargaining agreement discussions.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is also among the group of interested players, saying in June that the World Baseball Classic doesn't have the same impact.

"Putting the nation's colors on your chest, there's nothing like it," Harper said.

"There's no greater feeling than going into another country and winning and hearing your anthem blast. So I'm hoping we can get something done. Obviously, it's tough logistically, but it would be a lot of fun to be able to get baseball there and have the best players there doing it to represent their countries."