There was a reason the United States team at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) failed to win the championship. Interference from clubs made it difficult to use pitchers. 'Captain' Aaron Judge (33·New York Yankees) made a pointed remark.
Judge looked back on the WBC and expressed regret in interviews with local media, including The Athletic, on the 21st (Korea time). The U.S., which had been expected to be the strongest roster, was upset by Italy in the group stage and bowed to Venezuela in the final, settling for second place. It was the second consecutive runner-up finish following 2023.
Controversies such as manager Mark DeRosa's remark about reaching the quarterfinals and ace Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers) pitching in only one group game and then leaving led people to question the U.S. team's sincerity. Compared with the emotionally expressive Latin American players, relatively reserved U.S. players were criticized for having "no passion" regarding their "tension."
With U.S. players such as Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies) and Logan Webb (San Francisco Giants) speaking out in rebuttal, Judge also spoke up. Judge said, "People and cultures are different. I liked the ways Mexico, England and the Dominican Republic celebrated and the ways fans enjoyed the games. It was really amazing," while denying that U.S. players lacked passion.
If people say we have no passion... my passion is training in the batting cage, sweating when no one is watching. It's the passion I practiced in the backyard with my dad since I was 6. That's the source of the passion we've had since we were kids. Just because I don't show my passion doesn't mean I don't love baseball.
He added, "Every player in the clubhouse, every single one without exception, probably had the most enjoyable time of their baseball life for two to three weeks. We really enjoyed it and had passion. You probably saw players who don't usually show emotions express themselves. It was a really exciting time."
The next WBC is expected to be held in 2029 or 2030. Before that, there will be the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Judge said he would wear the U.S. team uniform again whenever he has the chance and supported moving the WBC to during the season. It is difficult for players to perform at their best in March, when they are preparing for the season. Rob Manfred, major league baseball commissioner, has also expressed openness to holding it during the season.
Judge said, "It would be great if you could hold the tournament during the season. There were too many restrictions on players in this tournament. Some players couldn't pitch for various reasons or had to pitch only on certain dates. If every player could play without such restrictions while in peak condition, it would be much better for baseball," pointing out that there was unseen interference from major league clubs.
The fact that Skubal pitched in only one game and left the team as if fleeing, and that Mason Miller (San Diego Padres) was not used in the ninth inning when the final was tied, were also the result of pressure from clubs to protect their pitchers. Other countries experienced similar things, but the U.S., which has many more major league pitchers, was more disadvantaged. Although the WBC has become the premier baseball tournament with massive popularity, these large and small restrictions undermine the WBC's prestige. Even if held during the season, clubs' demands about pitcher management would not disappear, but the restrictions could be reduced compared with now.
Putting WBC regrets behind him, Judge now focuses on his club, the Yankees. He said, "I still think about the WBC games and I'm angry. But I'm back here in the pinstripe uniform, and now it's time to move toward winning with the Yankees," and said, "The pitching depth has improved. We re-signed Cody Bellinger, and I think it will be a better season for us. It comes down to details. In the past few years there were periods when our performance dropped in July or August. If we can solve that problem, we'll be in a very good position."
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