Yankees Captain Aaron Judge to Lead Team USA at 2026 World Baseball Classic

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Yankees captain Aaron Judge will lead Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with former MLB player Mark DeRosa taking over as manager for the upcoming international tournament. DeRosa, a North Jersey native, played 16 seasons in the big leagues but says he "wasn't a guy who went to All-Star games."

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is a prestigious international baseball competition that features the best players from around the world representing their home countries. Having a high-profile player like Aaron Judge leading Team USA, along with an experienced manager in Mark DeRosa, could give the American squad a strong chance at winning the tournament.

The details

Aaron Judge, the current captain of the New York Yankees, will take on the role of leading Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Joining him will be former MLB infielder Mark DeRosa, a North Jersey native, who will serve as the team's manager. DeRosa played 16 seasons in the majors but says he "wasn't a guy who went to All-Star games." The World Baseball Classic is held every four years and features national teams from around the world competing for the championship.

• The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2026.
• Aaron Judge and Mark DeRosa will lead Team USA at the upcoming tournament.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2026, with Team USA looking to win the championship under the leadership of Aaron Judge and Mark DeRosa.