I don’t think I need to tell you again how successful the World Baseball Classic was this year. It exceeded expectations.
In a country like Japan, literally everyone listened to the final, for example.
There was a huge success because even if the good pitchers weren’t necessarily there, there are many position players who decided to go there this year.
Mike Trout is a good example.
In the past, he didn’t want to represent his country, but this year he decided to go and be the captain of his team. He is not the only one to have done so.
And he really does not regret it.
Result? A ripple effect is afoot right now. There are clearly many players who already want to turn the pages of the calendar so that we are already in 2026 to start playing the Classic again.
But of the lot, we do not count Aaron Judge.
What he said is that he liked what he saw and he considers himself a fan of the Classic. It was good baseball…and he would have liked to see Mike Trout hit a home run against Shohei Ohtani.
But the Judge does not want to commit now to go there in 2026.
The one who did not participate this year because he had just been named captain of the Yankees (and signed his big contract) is not the type to decide three years in advance.
We also know that his priority in life is the Yankees.
This is why, for example, he no longer wants to participate, for years, in the circuit competition. He will only do it if it takes place at Yankee Stadium.
I can’t wait to see what he decides in 2026. But for baseball, it would be great to see him take part in the World Classic.
