Captain America Speaks, All Listen – Judge Conveys Belief to Team USA Teammates

Today, before Team USA's first Classic training, when Captain Aaron Judge stood up to speak to his teammates, he confronted a level of talent unparalleled by his ten-year Major League career and seven All-Star selections.

"There's an aura in this room," Judge said. "That's what I felt when I stood there. We can talk about the players, but look at our coaching staff. The entire coaching staff—All-Stars, Silver Sluggers, World Series champions. Pitching coach Andy Pettitte, one of the greatest postseason pitchers ever, some of the best baseball minds ever assembled."

"It's really cool to have the opportunity to speak to them, to talk with them. It's an honor. That's what I said to start. It's an honor to stand before you all, wearing the same jersey."

Switching from Yankees pinstripes to the Team USA jersey took some adjustment for Judge. "It felt a little weird at first, seeing my name on the back," he said. But the three-time AL MVP is embracing the opportunity to serve as the national team's captain, helping Team USA compete for its first Classic gold since 2017.

Judge said he hadn't planned to speak today, but reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes reached out to him during the offseason, suggesting he prepare a few words ahead of Saturday's Group B opener against Brazil at Houston's Minute Maid Park.

The core of Judge's message was about the importance of sacrifice and being able to stand up for each other over the next two weeks. Team USA will play two exhibition games against the Giants and Rockies in Scottsdale before heading to Texas for Saturday's group stage opener. This doesn't leave much time to build chemistry, but Judge expressed hope to foster team unity by organizing team dinners and encouraging ongoing communication among players.

"That's the point I was trying to make in the meeting," Judge said. "Get to know each person. Know the teammate next to you. Learn about him. Ask questions. I think that's the fastest way, especially when things get real on the field. If we're behind, in a tough spot, we know we have each other's backs. We can trust one another. I know the guy next to me will do what it takes to win. In a few weeks, we're going to accomplish something special."

Team USA is clearly built to go far in this year's Classic. Judge took batting practice today at the San Francisco Giants' Papago Park training complex with Bryce Harper, Bobby Witt Jr., and Cal Raleigh, then ran to the outfield to shag fly balls with Byron Buxton, Kyle Schwarber, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Judge expressed hope that the team could draw inspiration from the 2026 Winter Olympics, where both the U.S. men's and women's ice hockey teams won gold medals.

"The Olympics got us all fired up, especially the hockey teams," Judge said. "The performance of the hockey teams, both the men and women. The guys were pumped. We have a group chat, and we've been talking about it non-stop. Manager Mark DeRosa and GM Mike Hill, all the people who put this team together—this room is full of talent, but I believe these are also some of the hardest-working players in the league. Getting all these guys in one room to push each other, once we hit the field, it's going to be a lot of fun."

Serving as Yankees captain is the greatest honor of Judge's career, though he said being in the same role for Team USA isn't far behind.

"It's absolutely up there," Judge said. "I've never played for Team USA before. Never had the chance growing up, so to have this opportunity now, and as the captain of this team we've assembled, it's absolutely up there. Yankees captain will always be number one in my heart, but the chance to be captain for your national team—it's hard to put into words."