MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif. — As the world anticipates the return of baseball to the Olympic stage in 2028 at the Los Angeles Games, several Major League Baseball players took a moment during a chilly charity event to dream about competing in other sports. On Sunday, February 1, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow and other players gathered for the CT3 Foundation Polar Plunge in Manhattan Beach, California, where they plunged into the Pacific Ocean to raise funds for The Friendship Foundation and the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Amid the excitement, the athletes shared their unconventional Olympic aspirations, revealing a playful side far removed from the diamond.
Glasnow, who has been a key part of the Dodgers' pitching staff, expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Games during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the event. “I watch the Olympics every year and we’re excited because the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is coming,” Glasnow said. “That’ll be sweet. And baseball’s coming!” His comments highlight the growing buzz among MLB players about the sport's Olympic revival, which was absent from the program since its exhibition status in previous years but will return as a full medal event in 2028.
The Polar Plunge, organized by Dodgers infielder Chris Taylor and his wife Mary, drew a crowd of athletes and supporters to the beachfront, where participants braved the cold waters to support pediatric causes. Before taking the plunge, several players opened up about Olympic sports they’d love to try, even if their skills might not match the elite level required. This lighthearted exchange came as baseball players, known for their speed, strength, and precision, pondered how their athleticism might translate to other disciplines.
Will Smith, the Dodgers' catcher and father of two daughters, emphasized his openness to new challenges influenced by his family life. “We’re always dressing up — princess dress up, makeup and all that stuff. It’s fun,” Smith told Us Weekly. “It’s definitely softened me for sure. Every day is an adventure.” When asked about Olympic sports outside of baseball, Smith pointed to events that could leverage his athletic background. “Baseball is coming back. I want to play it. I think it’d be awesome to play baseball at the Olympics,” he said. “Outside of my sport, maybe gymnastics or track and field. I’d be really fast.” Smith's interest in track and field aligns with the explosive power catchers need to throw out base runners, potentially making sprints or hurdles a natural fit.
Chris Taylor, who recently became a free agent after stints with the Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels, kept his Olympic dreams grounded in warmer weather activities. As a Southern California native, Taylor has a personal connection to the ocean. “With the Winter Olympics, I have no business competing,” he joked to Us Weekly. “I don’t think I could do any of those. For summer, I would say surfing. I love surfing. They recently added surfing to the Olympics, which is cool. I’m definitely not anywhere close to the level it takes. I just go out there and have fun, but I think that it would be cool to surf in a moment.” Surfing debuted as an Olympic sport at the 2020 Tokyo Games and will return in 2028, offering a coastal vibe that resonates with Taylor's lifestyle.
Glasnow, doubling down on his Olympic fantasies, shared thoughts on both summer and winter events. “In the summer, I would do some sort of track and field for ability,” he said. “But not for ability, I would do bobsledding. That looks kind of fun. I feel like maybe I could learn quickly — not be well at, but do well at it. Ski jumping would be a lot harder to learn as a athlete.” The 6-foot-8 pitcher, known for his towering presence on the mound, imagined the high-speed thrill of bobsledding, a winter sport that demands teamwork and nerve—qualities not unlike those in a baseball bullpen.
Ben Casparius, another Dodgers pitcher, turned his gaze toward a team sport that contrasts with baseball's individualism. “Probably basketball,” he told Us Weekly. “I think it’d be awesome. I wouldn’t make Team USA, or probably any team, obviously, but it would be fun, and I’d have some pretty cool teammates.” Basketball has been a staple of the Olympics since 1936, and Casparius's enthusiasm suggests an appreciation for the fast-paced, collaborative nature of the game, perhaps drawing from his experiences in relief pitching where timing and support from fielders are crucial.
Emmet Sheehan, a rising Dodgers pitcher, expressed interest in a sport that requires ice-level intensity. “I think hockey would be pretty cool,” he shared with Us Weekly. “I never played, but I like watching it, so I think hockey definitely could be fun. My favorite team was the Islanders growing up. I watch the Olympics every year.” Hockey, a Winter Olympics mainstay since 1920, appeals to Sheehan's fandom roots on Long Island, where the New York Islanders hold a special place. His admission of never playing underscores the whimsical nature of these revelations—pure curiosity rather than serious intent.
The players' comments come at a time when the Olympics are expanding their appeal, with the 2028 Los Angeles Games set to include new and returning sports to attract global audiences. Baseball's inclusion, decided by the International Olympic Committee in 2021, marks a significant moment for the sport, which last appeared as a medal event in 2008 in Beijing. Officials from MLB and the players' union have expressed support for the Olympic return, seeing it as a way to grow the game internationally, though logistical challenges like the regular season schedule remain.
According to reports, the CT3 Foundation event raised awareness and funds for children's health initiatives, with the Polar Plunge serving as a fun, engaging way to involve athletes in community service. Taylor, the foundation's namesake, has used similar events to blend his professional life with philanthropy, supporting families affected by cancer and fostering friendships among children with illnesses. The February 1 gathering in Manhattan Beach, under partly cloudy skies, saw participants in colorful costumes leaping into the 58-degree Pacific waters, embodying the spirit of teamwork echoed in the players' Olympic dreams.
While the players' choices vary—from the precision of gymnastics to the adrenaline of bobsledding—they reflect a broader fascination among professional athletes with the Olympics' diversity. Track and field, mentioned by both Smith and Glasnow, is the oldest Olympic sport, dating back to ancient Greece, and continues to draw top talent with events like the 100-meter dash that test raw speed akin to baseball's base stealing. Surfing, Taylor's pick, brings an artistic element to the Games, judged on style and wave mastery in locations like Tahiti for 2024.
Basketball and hockey, favored by Casparius and Sheehan, highlight the appeal of team dynamics in the Olympics, where national pride amplifies competition. The U.S. has dominated men's basketball with 16 gold medals, while hockey sees intense rivalries, particularly in women's play. These sports' inclusion in the players' fantasies shows how MLB stars, often siloed in their expertise, appreciate the multifaceted nature of Olympic athleticism.
Looking ahead, the 2028 Games in Los Angeles promise to be a homecoming for American sports like baseball, with venues across the city and surrounding areas. The International Baseball Federation has already begun scouting talent, and players like those at the Polar Plunge could inspire a new generation. As Glasnow noted, the proximity—“That’ll be sweet”—adds personal stakes, potentially drawing more MLB participation if schedules align.
The event also ties into related Olympic developments, such as the addition and cuts of sports for 2028. Flag football, squash, and cricket are among the new entries, while baseball's return alongside softball underscores efforts to balance tradition with innovation. Players' interest in trying other sports could foster greater athlete exchanges, much like the multi-sport backgrounds of some Olympians who transition between disciplines.
In the end, these revelations from Glasnow, Smith, Taylor, Casparius, and Sheehan offer a glimpse into the human side of elite athletes, blending their competitive drive with imaginative what-ifs. As the Dodgers and other MLB teams gear up for the 2024 season, the 2028 Olympics loom as a tantalizing horizon, where baseball might not be the only field these stars conquer in their dreams.