While this doesn't necessarily pertain to the Yankees, I thought it was something worth bringing up. Baseball and softball were officially removed from the 2012 Olympics back in 2005, but with the games now upon us, this is the first time we're feeling the effects of that decision.
It's been a turbulent ride for baseball in Olympic play, with a spotty history dating back to as early as the 1904 Olympic Games. Baseball officially became an Olympic sport at the 1992 Barcelona Games, and has been played at the previous five Olympic competitions.
Thanks to Wikipedia, I found this quote from IOC head Jacques Rogge on why baseball (and also softball) was eliminated from the games:
"To be on the Olympic program is an issue where you need universality as much as possible. You need to have a sport with a following, you need to have the best players and you need to be in strict compliance with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). And these are the qualifications that have to be met. When you have all that, you have to win hearts. You can win the mind, but you still must win hearts."
Many high profile American baseball and softball personalities ripped the decision to remove the sports, and it seems foolish considering how many countries play these sports at very high levels.
While major league stars such as Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Cano wouldn't be effected due to the past precedence of not sending professionals to the games, there are plenty of amateurs who deserve the opportunity to represent their countries in both baseball and softball.
What is your opinion of the absence of Olympic baseball and softball? Should these two sports return?
(In 2009, it was decided that the sports also won't be part of the 2016 Olympics)