Team USA names Judge captain for WBC

Aaron Judge is officially captain of two teams.

The New York Yankees captain will serve in the same role for the United States at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Judge announced Monday during an MLB Network interview with Team USA manager Mark DeRosa.

Judge did not participate in the 2023 WBC because he was heavily involved in the free-agent process but admitted it was tough for him to watch from home as Team USA finished second to Japan.

"Everyone talked about the atmosphere, the experience, it's nothing like they've ever seen," Judge said of signing up to play in his first WBC, according to SNY.

"Especially some guys that have never been in a playoff atmosphere, they're like, 'this is the best baseball I've ever played.'"

Mike Trout captained the Americans in 2023. DeRosa said he called Trout to inform him Judge would be named captain this time around, and the Los Angeles Angels outfielder agreed with the decision.

Judge has been captain of the Yankees since December 2022. The 32-year-old has spent his entire career with the organization, winning two AL MVPs in the process.