Aaron Judge ready to chase gold at World Baseball Classic Aaron Judge is preparing to lead the United States to victory in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, vowing to rewrite the script from the 2023 tournament. The New York Yankees’ star outfielder reflected on the moment when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to end the 2023 competition, which left a lasting impression. “Now it’s time for us to go out there and change that script,” Judge said after a Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays. Ten months after committing to represent Team USA and being named the team’s first captain, Judge is finally set to compete in the tournament. He will join fellow Yankees players David Bednar and Paul Goldschmidt on the roster, with the team traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona, for exhibition games against the Giants and Rockies. The Yankees’ involvement in the WBC extends beyond their players, with several coaches and alumni participating, including bench coach Brad Ausmus (Israel manager), catching coach Tanner Swanson (Great Britain bench coach), and pitching coach Andy Pettitte. The 2026 tournament will feature Pool B in Houston and Pool D in Miami, with games starting on March 6. Team USA will open their pool play against Brazil in Houston. Players have consistently praised the WBC for its intense competition and the opportunity to prepare for the regular season. “It’s heated competition. You’re fighting for your country,” Judge said. Bednar, who played for Team USA in 2023, added, “You’re going full guns blazing from the get-go.” The Yankees’ representation in the tournament is significant, with players like Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Brendan Beck joining Great Britain, while Austin Wells, Camilo Doval, and Amed Rosario will compete for the Dominican Republic.#world_baseball_classic #shohei_ohtani #new_york_yankees #aaron_judge #david_bednar
