Aaron Judge has thrown himself in the running for Team USA’s next World Baseball Classic quest. In an interview on Wednesday, Judge expressed his dismay about the team’s runner-up finish then shared his eagerness to represent the country’s colors in the next available opportunity.
The Yankees and Team USA captain was under fire for his recurring issue of not being able to deliver in high leverage situations. In the championship game against Venezuela, the Judge went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a groundout. The star slugger’s words drew flak on social media as fans lamented another appearance from the player who can’t deliver in the clutch.
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Judge finished his maiden World Baseball Classic run by batting .222/.364/.481 with two home runs, five RBIs, a double and a disappointing silver medal.
By the time the next World Baseball Classic swings around 2029 or 2030, Judge will be 36 or 37 years old. It would certainly be interesting which role he plays amongst a roster of youngsters in case he gets selected again.
Yankees broadcaster calls out fans after Aaron Judge gets booed in Spring Training
It has been a far from ideal start to the new year for Yankees captain Aaron Judge. After Team USA’s embarrassing run in the World Baseball Classic that saw Judge underdeliver in crucial situations, he’s now getting booed in Yankees Spring Training games.
The event occurred on Saturday at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa when Aaron Judge made an out and the crowd at the ballpark booed the team captain. Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay was quick to call out the supposed fans of the club on his titular show on ESPN New York and came to the defense of the Yankees and Team USA captain.
“Are you out of your mind,” Kay asked. “Anybody that was there, if you’re one of the people that booed, I would like to hear it … Most people that have eyes and appreciate baseball are big fans of Judge,” he added.
Kay lambasted the supposed fans and questioned their intentions about booing one of the best baseball players in the world today.
“What’s the purpose of booing a guy in Spring Training? If not the best player in baseball, [he’s] number two at least. What are you trying to accomplish? Are you trying to run him out of town?”
The season hasn’t even started but the friction between Aaron Judge and the team’s highly-passionate fanbase is already starting to heat up.
Edited by Daniel Santiago
