Aaron Judge proclaims World Baseball Classic has surpassed World Series in importance

U.S. captain says the passion of fans representing their countries makes the WBC the biggest event in baseball

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:51am

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In a thrilling semifinal matchup between the United States and the Dominican Republic at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, U.S. captain Aaron Judge proclaimed that the WBC has become the biggest event in baseball, surpassing even the World Series. Judge cited the passion of the fans representing their countries as a key factor, as the game featured a star-studded lineup with 17 All-Stars and numerous MVPs, Cy Young winners, and batting champions.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic has grown in stature and importance since its inception in 2006, with this year's tournament showcasing the best talent in the sport and generating immense excitement and national pride among the participating countries. Judge's comments highlight how the WBC has emerged as a premier international baseball event that now rivals the historic significance of the World Series.

The details

The semifinal matchup between the U.S. and Dominican Republic was a back-and-forth affair that came down to the final pitch. The Dominicans took an early lead on a home run by Junior Caminero, but the U.S. rallied with homers from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony to win 2-1. The game featured numerous defensive highlights, including a 95.7 mph throw from right field by Aaron Judge to cut down a runner at third, and a leaping catch by Julio Rodríguez to rob Judge of a home run. The pitching was also stellar, with both starters and relievers escaping jams to keep the game close.

  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinal between the United States and Dominican Republic took place on Sunday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Aaron Judge

The captain of the U.S. team and a star outfielder for the New York Yankees, who proclaimed that the World Baseball Classic has surpassed the World Series in importance.

Bryce Harper

A star player on the U.S. team and a likely future Hall of Famer.

Juan Soto

A star player on the Dominican Republic team.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

A star player on the Dominican Republic team.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of the U.S. team.

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What they’re saying

“It's bigger and better than the World Series. The passion that these fans have, representing their country, representing some of their favorite players, there's nothing like it.”

— Aaron Judge, U.S. team captain

“Just a game we'll remember forever, right? We understood this was going to be a talked-about game, probably one of the most watched games of all time.”

— Mark DeRosa, U.S. team manager

“The whole world saw in two teams some of the best players in the game.”

— Albert Pujols, Dominican Republic team manager

What’s next

The United States will face either Venezuela or Italy in the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Baseball Classic has cemented its status as the premier international baseball tournament, surpassing even the historic World Series in importance and excitement. The passion of the fans, the star power of the players, and the high-stakes competition have made the WBC a must-watch event for baseball fans around the world.