PHOENIX — New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge walked into the Team America clubhouse Monday morning, stared at his uniform, and felt his heart race as he draped it over his broad shoulders.
So, that’s what it means to represent the United States of America.
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While players such as Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Bobby Witt Jr. and Pete Crow-Armstrong have represented Team USA in several international competitions, this is Judge’s first time playing for his country.
“Some of us may have people who serve in the military, or we know people who serve in the military,” said Team USA Captain Judge. “The first thing that comes to my mind is that there are people who have sacrificed everything for this country so that I can keep my wife and daughter safe at home. I have the opportunity to come here and play a kid’s game.”
“So it really just goes through my mind, just the history of this country and what it’s been through and the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. So even now the conflict is going on and people are making sacrifices. … There’s a lot going on in the world right now, you know. So, I’m counting my blessings every day that I get the opportunity to be here and play the game that I love.”
Really, considering the Yankees don’t have names on the back of their uniforms, Judge just had his name printed on the back of the jersey and laughed, getting his attention.
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“It started a little weird seeing my name on the back of the jersey,” Judge said, “but I turned the jersey over and saw ‘USA’ written on the front. To me, that really hit home.”
It’s a training day for Team USA ahead of two exhibition games against the San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Houston for a WBC first-round matchup. Judge, who spoke with the team before taking the field, remains in awe of the wealth of talent surrounding him in the room and knows how much it means to everyone.
They include Tampa Bay Rays reliever Griffin Jaquez, who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Pittsburgh Pirates Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, who attended the Air Force Academy for two years. Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Whitlock, whose father Larry served in Vietnam. There are also many people who have close or distant relatives who have served in the military.
When U.S. coach Mark DeRosa called Skenes to invite him to join the team and even prepared a speech to convince him to play, Skenes didn’t need to hear another word.
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“He said, ‘I want to do this for every military member who protects our freedom,'” DeRosa said. “That’s what 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 of course understand the responsibility that comes with it.”
There’s also Detroit Tigers two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, who is expected to earn more than $400 million as a free agent this winter. He had not originally planned to play in the WBC but ignored the advice of his agent and others and pitched for Team USA, even if it was only about 50-55 pitches in Saturday’s game against Great Britain.
“It definitely makes sense because of what he’s about to face,” Judge said. “You know, he’s got two Cy Young Awards, but this guy is going to make $500 million here next offseason. So, he put everything on the line for his country to come out here and show up for us…
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“You know, maybe it’s just one game, but you know there’s a risk in everything you do, and for him to take that risk to come out here and be with us, you know, the kids love that. They get hyped up in the clubhouse.”
Team USA head coach Mark DeRosa said who knows, if Skubal enjoys the experience enough before returning to Tigers training camp in Lakeland, Florida, he might change his mind and return to Team USA for the semifinals or championship game?
Of course, his teammates are going to have some tough campaigns.
“He’s in a different situation than anybody here,” DeRosa said. “I’m ecstatic, honestly, that he decided to join us. With everything he has, I don’t think he’s going to try to win three Cy Young Awards and go into his free-agent year.”
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The judge certainly understands. He becomes a free agent after the 2022 season and is unable to commit to the World Baseball Classic. He eventually signed a nine-year, $360 million contract to return to the Yankees, but he has decided that he will remain in spring training camp no matter where he signs.
However, after watching the thrilling 2023 WBC contest, with Japan defeating the United States in the finals, Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout to reach the finals, and the joy the players experienced, Judge wasn’t going to miss the opportunity. He spoke with great pride to his teammates on Monday, telling them it was an honor to wear the same uniform.
“There is a presence in this room,” the judge said. “Not just the players, but the coaching staff. “You’ve got All-Stars, Silver Sluggers, World Series champions. And some of the best baseball players to ever play in a room. It was so cool to have the opportunity to speak to them… to have the opportunity to captain my own country, it’s hard to describe. “
“Aaron is a special cat, a special person,” DeRosa said. “He’s the best hitter in the game. When he walks in the room, his presence is undeniable. So, for him to put his heart and soul into this is huge.”
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Of course, Judge said, the WBC competition will continue as the U.S. wins gold medals in men’s and women’s hockey at the Olympics and the U.S. team will continue to move forward. Alex Bregman, a member of Team USA’s 2017 WBC championship team, said his international team had never won the title. Bryce Harper last played in an international tournament in 2009 when he was 16 years old. He said he was more excited than ever to represent Team USA after watching the gold medal hockey game.
“I mean, everyone watched the Olympics and saw how the women’s and men’s teams won gold medals,” Harper said. “I mean, I was glued to the TV for those two or three weeks. So, I definitely think that was a stepping stone to what we’re doing now. I think a lot of people were really excited to watch us play.”
While the Americans have only won the title once in five WBC appearances since 2006, they are favorites this time around, especially with their pitching staff. This is undoubtedly the best collection of talent they have ever assembled, and DeRosa believes this team is nearly perfect. The roster was so strong that Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. served as the team photographer.
Aaron Judge talks with Ken Griffey Jr. during Team USA practice at Papago Park Sports Center in Phoenix.
The Americans are scheduled to start San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webber in Game 1 against Brazil on March 5, Skubal in Game 2 against Great Britain on March 6, Skenes in Game 3 against Mexico on March 9, and New York Mets starter Nolan McLean in the fourth and final pool game against Italy on March 10.
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“Honestly, it’s a ‘dream place,'” DeRosa said. “I want to build a real team, a team that other countries will look at and say ‘has no weaknesses.'” The lineup is arranged from right to left, right to right. Everyone knows their role. The bullpen is neutral. Mason Miller is the best closer in the game. You have versatility off the bench. We have selfless people. We have high character, speed and strength.
“This is a team that builds off each other, not just an all-star team.
“This is a real team.”
This team has a 6-foot-7 captain, six-time MVP award and six-time Cy Young Award player.
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“There’s a lot of great stuff in that room,” Judge said. Quite special. “
Follow Bob Nightengale on Bluesky and @Bnightengale.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Judge proud of Team USA in World Baseball Classic
