Time to 'change the script': Judge determined to lead USA to gold at Classic

TAMPA, Fla. – The details are fuzzy for Aaron Judge, who can’t pinpoint exactly where he was. But the Yankees’ captain remembers what he felt when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to end the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

“Now it’s time for us to go out there and change that script,” Judge said after the Yankees’ 5-1 Grapefruit League victory over the Blue Jays on Saturday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Ten months after committing to represent Team USA – and being named the club’s first player and captain – Judge is finally ready to chase gold.

Joined on Team USA’s roster by Yankees teammates David Bednar and Paul Goldschmidt, Judge will travel west for a couple of exhibition games against the Giants and Rockies in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Pool play begins against Brazil on March 6 at Houston’s Daikin Park. Numerous players have listed the WBC as a career highlight, a sentiment Judge has heard often.

“They say it’s like a playoff atmosphere from the very beginning, but guys also said it helped them get ready for the season a lot quicker, too,” Judge said. “It’s heated competition. You’re fighting for your country.”

“As awesome an experience as it is, I don’t think there’s any better way to get ready for a season,” added Bednar, who pitched for Team USA in 2023. “You’re going full guns blazing from the get-go.”

The Yankees will be well-represented across the tournament. Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Brendan Beck are joining Great Britain, while Austin Wells, Camilo Doval and Amed Rosario are suiting up for the Dominican Republic.

“I haven’t known any professional baseball outside of the Yankees,” Wells said. “So I’m looking forward to getting out there, listening to what those guys are doing and maybe bring some stuff back here.”

Fernando Cruz and Elmer Rodríguez are pitching for Puerto Rico, Harrison Cohen will pitch for Team Israel and José Caballero will play for Panama – including an exhibition against the Yankees on Tuesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

“It’s a special moment to represent your country on the biggest stage for baseball,” Caballero said. “I take a lot of pride in representing my family, my friends back home. They’re all going to be paying attention to what we do in this tournament.”

Several Yankees coaches and alumni are involved, including bench coach Brad Ausmus (Israel manager), catching coach Tanner Swanson (Great Britain bench coach), Andy Pettitte (Team USA pitching coach), Francisco Cervelli (Italy manager) and Jorge Posada (Italy hitting coach).

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he views that widespread involvement as a positive sign.

“We wish them all the best,” Cashman said. “If you have good players, those countries want them. If we’re losing a lot of people, it’s a reflection that we have a lot of good players.”

If Judge and Team USA reach the March 17 championship game at Miami’s loanDepot park, they’ll return to camp with only about a week remaining before Opening Day. That will make for a different vibe in Tampa, and many players exchanged hugs on their way out the door Friday.

But it should create opportunities for other players to get longer looks.

“I’m looking forward to following it,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I think it’s going to be a great tournament. These guys have come in ready to go, checked a lot of boxes this winter to put themselves in position to go do this. It’s something that’s been very good for the game.”

Judge said he plans to savor the experience, mentioning looking forward to sharing time with stars like Bryce Harper, Bobby Witt Jr., Cal Raleigh and others. He told his Yankees teammates to keep in touch through calls or texts, but that probably won’t be necessary. They’ll all be watching anyway.

“I’m excited, just like I was the day I committed,” Judge said. “It’s going to be fun. The boys are pumped up, and it’s time to go to work.”