Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles is expanding his horizons from anchoring the infield to aiming for a spot on the 2028 Olympic baseball team. Inspired by Team USA’s gold-medal victory in hockey at the 2026 Winter Games, Henderson voiced his desire to compete in the Olympics, linking his future ambitions to representing the United States on the international baseball stage. This aspiration adds significant depth to Henderson’s growing role within the Orioles organization.
Inspiration Drawn from Team USA’s Hockey Triumph
During spring training, Henderson discussed his heightened motivation following Team USA hockey’s recent success, sharing his Olympic dreams with Baltimore Sun reporter Matt Weyrich. Henderson expressed how witnessing the hockey gold medal performance intensified his commitment to securing a chance to compete on the Olympic baseball field.
That would be super special, being able to get into the Olympics and compete for the gold medal at that point. After watching that hockey game, that’s definitely something that’s a top priority.
– Gunnar Henderson, Orioles Shortstop
Baseball’s Return to the Olympics Fuels Henderson’s Ambitions
With baseball set to return to the Summer Games in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium in 2028, Henderson’s goal now has a clear endpoint. While Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association are finalizing details that would allow current big leaguers to participate, players like Henderson are already openly supporting the opportunity to showcase their talents on this global stage. For Henderson, these international dreams stand alongside his ongoing efforts to lead Baltimore deep into the postseason.
Potential Impact on Orioles and Team USA Baseball
Henderson’s public commitment to Olympic competition reinforces his stature as a cornerstone of the Orioles and a rising star in American baseball. If MLB permits its top players to join the Olympic roster, Henderson’s combination of skill and ambition could help position him as a prominent figure for Team USA by the time the 2028 Games arrive. For Orioles fans, his broader goals add a new layer of excitement surrounding his career trajectory and the team’s future.
Orioles' Gunnar Henderson on his hopes of playing in the 2028 Summer Olympics:
"That would be super special, being able to get into the Olympics and compete for the gold medal at that point. … After watching that hockey game, that’s definitely something that’s a top priority."
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) February 23, 2026
