PHOENIX — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge walked into Team USA’s clubhouse Monday morning, stared at his uniform, and felt his heart race when he put it on over his massive shoulders.
So, this is what it means to represent the United States of America.
While players like Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Bobby Witt Jr. and Pete Crow-Armstrong have already played a handful of times in international tournaments for the USA, this is the first time Judge has ever played for his country.
“Several of us probably have people who serve in the military or people we know that served in the military,’’ said Judge, captain of Team USA. “That was the first thing I thought of was there’s individuals out there that have sacrificed everything for this country to allow me to have my wife safe at home and my daughter safe at home. And I get a chance to come out here and play a kid’s game.
“So that was really just floating through my head, just the history of this country, what it’s been through, and the people that have sacrificed the biggest sacrifice. So even now there’s conflict going on, people are sacrificing. … A lot of things are happening in the world right now, you know. So, I just count my blessings every day I get a chance to come out here and play the game that I love.’’
Really, just having the name on the back of his jersey, Judge laughed, got his attention considering the Yankee jerseys don’t have names on the back of their uniform.
“It’s kind of weird seeing my name on the back of the jersey to start,’’ says Judge, “but I flipped that right over and looked at the front where it said, “USA.’ For me, it just really hit home.’’
This was Team USA’s workout day before playing two exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, before leaving for the WBC’s first round in Houston. Judge spoke to the team before they took the field, still in awe of the abundance of talent surrounding him in the room, and knowing what this means to everyone.
There is Tampa Bay Rays reliever Griffin Jax, who graduated from the United States Air Force Academy, and Pittsburgh Pirates Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, who attended the Air Force Academy for two years. There is Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Whitlock, whose father Larry, served in Vietnam. And plenty of others who have close family members or distant relatives who served in the military.
When USA manager Mark DeRosa called Skenes to invite him on the team, and even had a presentation prepared to help convince him to play, Skenes didn’t need to hear another word.
‘He was like, ‘I want to do this for every serviceman and woman that protects our freedom,” DeRosa said. “That’s all that needs to be said. There’s something very special about representing your country.
“We take it seriously. We want to enjoy the game and have fun, but certainly understand the responsibility that comes with it.’’
And there’s Detroit Tigers two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who is in line to earn in excess of $400 million as a free agent this winter. He hadn’t planned on participating in the WBC, but ignored the advice of his agent and others to pitch for Team USA, even if it’s just for about 50-55 pitches Saturday against Great Britain.
“It speaks volumes, definitely, because of what’s ahead of him,’’ Judge said. “You know, he’s got the two Cy Young awards, but this guy’s about to make half-a-billion dollars here in the next offseason. So, for him to put it all on the line for his country, and come out here and show up for us …
“You know, maybe it is just one game, but you know there’s a risk with everything you do, and for him to take that risk and come out here and be with us, you know, the boys love it. They’re hyped in the clubhouse.’’
Who knows, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa says, if Skubal enjoys the experience enough before he returns to the Tigers camp in Lakeland, Florida, could he change his mind and return to Team USA for the semifinal or championship game?
Certainly, there will be some heavy campaigning from his teammates.
“He’s in a different situation than anybody here,’’ DeRosa said. “And to be honest, I’m over the moon that he decided to join us. I didn’t think he was going to, based on everything he has, trying to win three Cy Youngs and going into his free-agent year.’’
Judge can certainly relate. He was a free agent after the 2022 season, and couldn’t commit to playing in the World Baseball Classic. He wound up signing a nine-year, $360 million contract to return to the Yankees, but had already decided he would stay in spring training camp no matter where he signed.
Yet, after watching the exhilarating 2023 WBC, with Team Japan beating the USA in the finals with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout for the final out, and how much joy the players experienced, Judge wasn’t about to miss this opportunity. He took great pride speaking to his teammates Monday, telling them it was an honor to wear the same uniform.
“The room has a presence,’’ Judge said. “Not just the players, but the coaching staff, too. You got All-Stars, Silver Sluggers, World Series champs. And some of the best baseball players who ever played the game in one room. It was pretty cool to get a chance to address them … To get a chance to be captain for your country, it’s pretty hard to describe.’’
Said DeRosa: “Aaron is a special cat, a special guy. He’s the best hitter in the game. His presence is undeniable when he walks in the room. So, for him to put his heart and soul behind this, it’s huge.’’
Certainly, with the WBC coming on the heels of the United States winning the Olympic gold in men’s and women’s hockey, has Team USA hyped to continue the run, Judge says. Alex Bregman, who was on Team USA’s WBC championship team in 2017, says he has never been on an international team that didn’t win the title. Bryce Harper, who last played in an international tournament in 2009 when he was 16, says he’s more stoked than ever to represent the U.S. after watching the gold medal hockey games.
“I mean, everybody watched the Olympics and saw what the women’s and men’s teams did winning the gold,’’ Harper said. “I mean, I was glued to the TV for those two, three weeks. So, I definitely think it’s a stepping stone into what we’re doing right now. I think a lot of people are super excited to watch us play.’’
While Team USA has won the WBC just once in the five times it has been played since 2006, they are the favorites this time around, particularly with their prized pitching staff. It’s easily the best collection of talent they’ve assembled, with DeRosa convinced the team is almost flawless. The team is so loaded that Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. is the team photographer.
Team USA is scheduled to start San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb in Game 1 on March 5 against Brazil, Skubal in Game 2 on March 6 against Great Britain, Skenes in Game 3 on March 9 against Mexico, and New York Mets starter Nolan McLean in the fourth and final pool game March 10 against Italy.
“This is a ‘Field of Dreams,’ to be honest with you,’’ DeRosa said. “I wanted to build a true team, a team that the other countries would look at and say, “There’s no weakness.’ The lineup is right-left-right all of the way down. Everyone knows their role. The bullpen is split neutral. Mason Miller is the best closer in the game. You got versatility off the bench. We got selfless guys. We got high character, speed, power.
“This is a team that kind of feeds off each other, not just throw an All-Star team in there.
“This is a true team.’’
A team that has one 6-foot-7 captain, with players who have won six MVP awards and six Cy Young Awards.
“There is,’’ Judge said, “a lot of greatness in that room. Pretty special.’’
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