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Aaron Judge just played his first World Baseball Classic game, and he’s already comparing the atmosphere to the biggest stage in baseball.
Team USA beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 at loanDepot Park in Miami on Sunday, and Judge had himself a day. He gunned down Fernando Tatis Jr. trying to stretch a hit into a triple. He also smoked a ball to center that looked like extra bases until Julio Rodriguez tracked it down.
MORE: Paul Skenes reveals ‘heavy’ message he received before WBC semifinal
But what stuck with Judge after the game was not the plays. It was the noise. Judge told reporters the crowd noise and energy topped anything he had seen before, including his World Series appearances with the New York Yankees.
“The World Series I was in versus the crowd here and the one we had against Mexico, it’s bigger and better than the World Series. The passion that these fans have representing their country, representing their favorite players, there’s nothing like it. That is what you dream of as a kid,” Judge said, per Doug McKain.
“It gives me chills right now thinking about how special that was.”
The crowd of 36,337 never sat down. Every pitch mattered in the semifinal, and the fans made sure the players felt it. Junior Caminero took Paul Skenes deep early, and the place erupted.
Gunnar Henderson tied it up for Team USA, then Roman Anthony put them ahead with a blast that sent the stadium into chaos.
MORE: Top 5 catchers in MLB entering 2026 season
New York Yankees and United States outfielder Aaron Judge hits a two run home run in the third inning against Mexico at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Judge has seen packed houses before while wearing the stars and stripes. The matchup against Mexico pulled in 41,628 fans, setting the attendance record for a 2026 World Baseball Classic pool-stage game on U.S. soil.
LoanDepot Park turned into something different on Sunday night. Judge walked off the field still buzzing from it.
For a guy who has been to a World Series, that says plenty about what the WBC brings out in people.
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WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: Paul Skenes reveals ‘heavy’ message he received before WBC semifinal
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The post Aaron Judge makes stunning admission on WBC crowd energy vs World Series appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
Team USA beat the Dominican Republic 2-1 at loanDepot Park in Miami on Sunday, and Judge had himself a day. He gunned down Fernando Tatis Jr. trying to stretch a hit into a triple. He also smoked a ball to center that looked like extra bases until Julio Rodriguez tracked it down.
MORE: Paul Skenes reveals ‘heavy’ message he received before WBC semifinal
But what stuck with Judge after the game was not the plays. It was the noise. Judge told reporters the crowd noise and energy topped anything he had seen before, including his World Series appearances with the New York Yankees.
“The World Series I was in versus the crowd here and the one we had against Mexico, it’s bigger and better than the World Series. The passion that these fans have representing their country, representing their favorite players, there’s nothing like it. That is what you dream of as a kid,” Judge said, per Doug McKain.
“It gives me chills right now thinking about how special that was.”
The crowd of 36,337 never sat down. Every pitch mattered in the semifinal, and the fans made sure the players felt it. Junior Caminero took Paul Skenes deep early, and the place erupted.
Gunnar Henderson tied it up for Team USA, then Roman Anthony put them ahead with a blast that sent the stadium into chaos.
MORE: Top 5 catchers in MLB entering 2026 season
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New York Yankees and United States outfielder Aaron Judge hits a two run home run in the third inning against Mexico at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Judge has seen packed houses before while wearing the stars and stripes. The matchup against Mexico pulled in 41,628 fans, setting the attendance record for a 2026 World Baseball Classic pool-stage game on U.S. soil.
LoanDepot Park turned into something different on Sunday night. Judge walked off the field still buzzing from it.
For a guy who has been to a World Series, that says plenty about what the WBC brings out in people.
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NFL: Updated 2026 NFL salary cap space for all 32 teams after first free agency wave
WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: Paul Skenes reveals ‘heavy’ message he received before WBC semifinal
MARCH MADNESS: 3 March Madness teams with easiest paths to NCAA Tournament Final Four
OSCARS:Look inside the Oscars $350,000 gift bags for 2026 Academy Awards
SPORTS MEDIA:Pat McAfee celebrates historic USA Olympic hockey accomplishment
VIRAL: ‘Embarrassing’ Oscars Snack Box goes viral with Conan O’Brien note
The post Aaron Judge makes stunning admission on WBC crowd energy vs World Series appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
