Aaron Judge sets Yankees championship goal after World Baseball Classic defeat

Aaron Judge walked through the familiar corridors of George M. Steinbrenner Field, his steps still carrying a trace of discontent, replaying in his mind the U.S. team's loss to Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic final.

“You're still thinking about those last games, still feeling that fire,” Judge said. “But coming back here, being with my teammates, wearing the Yankees stripes, it's time to shift focus back to what the Yankees need to do and fight for a championship.”

After serving as captain of the U.S. team in the thrilling Classic, Judge returned to his regular role with the Yankees, batting as the designated hitter in today's spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge's workload will be reduced over the next few days to prepare for the Opening Day game against the San Francisco Giants on March 25. He will play right field in Monday's game against Philadelphia and Tuesday's game against Chicago Cubs in Arizona.

“He's ready to go, he's in game shape,” Boone said. “Letting him ease off a bit over the next few days will benefit him.”

The silver medal left Judge frustrated. In the championship game, the U.S. offense stalled, losing 2-3 to Venezuela, and he himself did not record a hit. Throughout the tournament, he played seven games, with 6 hits in 27 at-bats, a .222 batting average, contributing one double, two home runs, and five RBIs.

He tried to balance the disappointment with the “special experience” in the U.S. team locker room. “Every player representing the U.S., their teams are fortunate to have them,” Judge said. “They are all very special individuals, each one of them.”

Judge particularly noted the atmosphere of the elimination games, saying that during pre-game warmups at LoanDepot Park in Miami against Mexico on March 9, he couldn't hear anything—it was one of the “most raucous stadiums” he had experienced, including World Series games. He wished that energy could be present every night but understood it's hard to sustain over a 162-game season.

“It was high-stakes baseball, just like every game we play,” Judge said. “There were bands in left field, bands in right field, a completely different feel. Many fans might not afford World Series tickets.”

Judge said he appreciated the “passion” and “emotion” displayed by opposing teams. The U.S. team had been criticized for lacking such outward passion, and Judge mentioned that family and friends had brought it up to him.

“Everyone is different, every culture is different,” Judge said. “What the Mexican team, the British team, the Dominican team did, how they celebrated the games, was all fantastic. If we didn't show that passion—my passion comes from the unseen hours of hard work in the batting cage.”

“It comes from grinding with my dad in our backyard as a kid. That's the passion we cultivated growing up. If I don't display it outwardly, it doesn't mean I don't love this sport.”

Judge said he would gladly wear the Stars and Stripes again, whether for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or future Classics. “Whenever there's an opportunity, I want to go,” Judge said. “I didn't want to miss the last one. I couldn't participate in 2017, I was a rookie then and it bothered me. So, whenever there's a chance, I'll be there.”