Team USA Players Keep Saying the Same Thing About Aaron Judge

Goldschmidt: “He’s the Best Leader I’ve Ever Been Around”

Veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has experienced the World Baseball Classic before, and he didn’t hesitate when describing what the tournament feels like.

According to Goldschmidt, the closest comparison to the WBC environment is October baseball.

“Playoff or World Series type baseball,” Goldschmidt explained. “I haven’t played in the World Series, but I can imagine it’s pretty close. And talking with guys that have, it’s pretty close.”

He added that the emotional side of the tournament makes it different from anything players experience during the regular season.

“There’s a lot of emotions, some different emotions where you’re playing for your country. It’s different than just a regular season and even a postseason game. So it’s a lot of fun. Almost elimination games almost every night. So the energy is great.”

When the conversation shifted to Aaron Judge being named captain of Team USA, Goldschmidt didn’t hold back.

“He’s so selfless. He has no ego. He cares about the team more than himself, whether it’s with the Yankees, now Team USA, probably every team he’s ever played for,” Goldschmidt said. “He’s the best leader I’ve ever been around just because he wants to make everyone better. He doesn’t make it about himself.”

That’s the same reputation Judge has built in the Bronx — and now it’s traveling with him onto the international stage.

Aaron Judge with Ken Griffey Jr. – mlb.com

Clay Holmes Saw It Firsthand in the Bronx

Former Yankees closer Clay Holmes knows exactly what Goldschmidt is talking about.

Holmes spent multiple seasons sharing a clubhouse with Judge in New York, which gave him a front-row seat to the captain’s leadership style.

“He’s just a leader. I think it comes natural for him,” Holmes said. “Obviously he can do things special on the baseball field and it’s exciting to watch him play, but to see how he leads in his own special way and how he makes everyone feel included… he has a great way about him doing that.”

Holmes also pointed out that the same dynamic he saw in the Yankees clubhouse is already visible with Team USA.

“Seeing how he’s been doing that here with this team just reminds me of playing with him back with the Yankees.”

That’s the common thread whenever players talk about Judge. It isn’t just that he’s the best hitter in the lineup — it’s that everyone in the room feels part of the mission.

Judge Returns to a Familiar Ballpark

Team USA will play games at Daikin Park in Houston — the stadium previously known as Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.

For Judge, that building carries plenty of history.

The Yankees captain has played dozens of games there over his career, including several heated postseason matchups against Houston. His career numbers against the Astros include 10 home runs in 53 games, along with multiple memorable blasts — including a towering 495-foot shot during the 2017 season.

Asked about returning to the ballpark, Judge sounded ready to flip the narrative.

“Love it in here. It’s a great park to hit, especially those little Crawford boxes on the left. That’s always nice, and the short ball on the right,” Judge said. “It’s a great place to play.”

He also acknowledged the building holds both good and painful memories from past Yankees-Astros battles.

“Like you said, I’ve had some tough memories here, had some good memories here. That’s part of it,” Judge said. “But now getting a chance to wear the red, white, and blue, we’re going to have a lot of great memories in here.”

A Different Kind of Pressure

The World Baseball Classic creates a strange atmosphere for MLB players.

It’s not quite the regular season. It’s not exactly the playoffs either. It’s something in between — a short, intense tournament where one swing can send a team home.

That’s why leadership matters even more.

And if the early reactions from players are any indication, Team USA didn’t just pick a captain because Aaron Judge is a superstar.

They picked him because the moment the room gets tense, he’s the one everyone naturally looks toward.

For Yankees fans, that probably sounds familiar.

For the rest of the baseball world, they’re about to find out why.

Watch March 6 Team USA @ Brazil Daikin Park / Houston, Texas 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET