The New Captain America: Aaron Judge Has Been Named The Captain Of Team USA For The 2026 World Baseball Classic
Pretty cool moment this morning with Aaron Judge getting tabbed as Team USA's captain for next year's World Baseball Classic. Last time Judge sat out as he dealt with free agency, but seemed to drop hints along the way he wanted to suit up for this one coming up. No brainer he'd be the captain if he wanted to be on the team with Trout taking a step back and the only other player in the world with more talent than him being on Team Japan.
The 2023 WBC was incredible to watch. You couldn't ask for a better atmosphere with all those games down in Miami. It's pretty sick watching some of the best in the game give a damn for their country. You literally just saw it in hockey with the Four Nations tournament. I mean how fucking cool was that? Obviously the NBA has their moment with the Olympics. Well, baseball has the WBC and the best hitter on the planet just decided he's gonna be the captain for Team USA. It's not only a big moment for American baseball, but the tournament in itself. You've got Soto for the DR, Ohtani repping Japan, and Judge for USA. That is fucking awesome.
As great as adding Judge to the lineup is, offense is not the issue for Team USA. If they're gonna win this thing next year they better figure out how to entice some premier pitchers to participate. Back in 2023 their staff was comprised of Merill Kelly, Lance Lynn, Miles Mikolas, Adam Wainright, and Clayton Kershaw. It's obviously tough to ask a guy to ramp up early and throw high-stressed pitches in March, but we gotta be a little better with our staff. No idea if someone like Paul Skenes would have any interest in doing this before he gets his big contract (I wouldn't) but man would it be cool to have him out on the mound. Again, tough ask and tricky situation to navigate with how many guys are going down these days with elbow problems. While playing for your home country is an honor, this part of roster construction is where it gets dicey.
Now the last part of this is VERY IMPORTANT. As you can see I bolded it to make it very clear. Aaron Judge, do not even think about diving for a ball, crashing into a wall, or even hustling to second base for a double. Literally just stand up at the plate and mash. If you get thrown out being slow around the bases then worse things. I don't even want you reaching for a ball on the outer half of the plate and possibly pulling a muscle. Honestly, if it's not a home run just walk back to the dugout. This is not to say Aaron Judge is injury prone because I think he's dispelled those claims over the recent years. His injuries are more freak accidents than anything, but the point remains. Just DH, blast balls 450 feet, or grab some pine. The lineup will be plenty good enough to win this without him, he doesn't have to be a hero. I can't have Judge hurt during this shit as we go into the last MLB season before the lockout. In a perfect world the Yankees would have won the whole thing last October and I wouldn't have to stress as much, but seeing how this current Yankees team is playing out this season, 2026 may very well be Judge's last best shot to win a ring during his prime, I need him out there.
P.S. Don't let Judge recruit guys for Team USA. GM is not his strong suit