Aaron Judge of the Yankees responds to the Team USA ‘passion’ story

TAMPA — Aaron Judge Reflects on Recent Loss and Prepares for Yankees Season

After facing a disappointing elimination in the World Baseball Classic, Aaron Judge usually has to cope with the aftermath throughout the offseason. This time, though, he has just a few days before the season kicks off.

Judge made his return to Yankees camp on Thursday and got back into action on Friday evening. This was his first appearance since leading Team USA in a heartbreaking loss to Venezuela earlier in the week.

“You’re still thinking about the last few games and the whole tournament,” Judge admitted. “You’re upset about it. But being back around the guys and wearing the pinstripes, it’s time to get focused on what I’m doing with the Yankees and aiming for a championship.”

Initially, things were tough for him, but he felt quite different once he was reunited with his teammates. “The first few hours weren’t great, but now that I’m back here, I’m ready,” he said.

During the tournament, Judge had an OPS of .845 and hit two home runs in seven games, but he struggled in the final, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.

Even so, he’s already looking forward to possibly joining Team USA for future competitions, such as the 2028 Olympics or the next WBC. He reflected, “It was a lot of fun sharing the clubhouse with some of the game’s best and experiencing that lively crowd.”

He noted how he wished the energy of the WBC crowd could be replicated during the regular season, even acknowledging the challenges of sustaining that excitement over a lengthy 162-game schedule. “It was a fun environment,” he remarked, adding that it was captivating to see players express strong emotions in a competitive setting.

Team USA faced some criticism for seemingly adopting a more serious demeanor compared to other teams, which embraced more flamboyant celebrations. Judge mentioned he heard about this from friends and family but disagreed with the portrayal.

“Everyone is different and every culture is different,” he said. He admired how teams like Mexico and England celebrated, appreciating the vibrant atmosphere they created. “I have passion for this game, developed over years of playing. Just because I don’t always show it outwardly doesn’t mean I don’t care.”

He expressed that many players, including himself, experienced a level of enjoyment in the recent weeks that may have been the most fun they’d had on the field.

Judge previously suggested moving the WBC to mid-season to alleviate some pitching restrictions. He even argued that the WBC atmosphere felt “bigger and better” than that of a World Series game.

On Friday, he reminisced about the lively band in the outfield during WBC games and the chants that filled the venue. “For a World Series game, a lot of die-hard fans sometimes can’t afford tickets,” he noted.

Unfortunately, Judge will have to wait several months for another opportunity to experience that kind of crowd. Now, his focus shifts to helping the Yankees reach that level.

As he gears up for the season, Aaron Boone mentioned plans to ease Judge into action, allowing a bit of rest before the big games. After serving as DH on Friday, Judge is set to play right field on Sunday and is expected to start in Monday’s exhibition against the Cubs before the season opener on Wednesday.