“He can’t perform”: Fans divided over Aaron Judge accepting offer to play 2026 WBC from Team USA side

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 2, 2025, 13:43 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge commits to playing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, generating mixed reactions from fans. While some doubt his performance under pressure, others view it as a significant milestone in his career.

“He can’t perform”: Fans divided over Aaron Judge accepting offer to play 2026 WBC from Team USA side

Fans not so confident about Aaron Judge’s move to Team USA for 2026 WBC (Image Source: ajudge/Instagram)

New York Yankee star Aaron Judge hits an important milestone in his career as he affirms his participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It will be his first appearance as a Team USA player for an international event. However, fans have mixed reactions to this development.

Aaron Judge fans at loggerheads over his joining Team USA for 2026 WBC

Fans are not entirely pleased with the idea of Aaron Judge playing the 2026 WBC from the Team USA side. They want all bases covered before Team USA competes for an international competition like the 2026 WBC, an event that has garnered baseball lovers’ attention quite recently due to unusual face-offs happening at the pitch. Fan’s dismay emerges from past experiences where Judge turned sweaty palms during crucial play-off matches.
“If he plays anything like he did in the playoffs we don’t want him”, wrote one fan
“He can’t perform under pressure” - added another fan

“You know he’s going 0-4 in the finals” - was another comment
“He will choke just like he does in the playoffs” - read one of the comments

"I need a Judge team USA jersey like I need air," - wrote another fan.
Judge’s supporters are standing like a rock by his side though. They consider it a marvelous opportunity for the player to appear in an international championship. One of the supporters found the news welcoming and expressed excitement with a loaded one-word nod - ‘WoW’.

The World Baseball Classic is a new-found interest for the baseball players

Avid baseball fans were not so intrigued by the event earlier. However, one incident changed it all. Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout final at-bat battle in 2023 offered a memorabilia-like material to fans.

Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout: Final At Bat in the USA vs. Japan 2023 WBC Championship

The furor around two ex-teammates and titans pitted against each other set the mood for the upcoming championship in 2026, and that sums up the emotions of fans who don’t want to settle for any less than the best names to appear in the Team USA line-up.
Amidst all the frenzy, Aaron Judge is determined to bring laurels to the nation and feels prepared to take on the challenges that come with new responsibility. Let's see what the new season brings in for the Yankees captain.
Also Read: "We gotta win it”: New York Yankees Aaron Judge is motivated to lead USA in reclaiming WBC title in 2026: Report

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article