New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge isn't too pleased about a certain narrative surrounding Team USA and the World Baseball Classic.
Judge, who was named the captain for the United States team, finished the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a .222 average and two home runs. Unfortunately, he went 0-for-4 at the plate during the final against Venezuela.
Baseball fans weren't just disappointed with Team USA's 3-2 loss to Venezuela, they accused the national team of showing zero pride in their country. They thought most of the players on Team USA were simply unwilling to do whatever it takes to win the championship.
When asked about that narrative, Judge made it clear that Team USA simply had a different approach to the World Baseball Classic.
"Everybody is different. Every culture is different. I loved everything that Mexico was doing, what Great Britain was doing, the DR, how they celebrated the game…that was amazing,” Judge said, via SNY. “If they’re going to say we don’t have the passion – my passion is grinding in this cage when nobody is watching, grinding in the backyard as a six-year-old when I’d be in the backyard with my dad. That’s where our passion came from as kids. If I don’t show it outwardly like that, it doesn’t mean I don’t love the game."
© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.
Will Aaron Judge represent Team USA again?
Judge made it clear that he'd like to represent the United States again in either the 2028 Olympics or another World Baseball Classic. However, he'd like to see the World Baseball Classic moved to the middle of the MLB season.
“There were so many restrictions, even with us. There were certain guys that couldn't pitch because of this, had to pitch on these days,” Judge said. “I think now, if you get into where everybody is built up, everybody has no restrictions, you get out there and just play -- I think it would be better for the game."
We'll see if Judge can redeem himself in future WBC events.
