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

U.S. captain says passion of fans representing their countries makes WBC bigger than MLB's championship

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:25am

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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 declared that the tournament has become baseball's biggest event, surpassing even the World Series. The game featured 17 All-Stars and was decided by a dramatic final pitch, showcasing the passion and intensity of international competition.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic has grown in stature and significance since its inception in 2006, with players and fans embracing the opportunity to represent their home countries. Judge's comments highlight how the tournament has evolved to become a premier event in the global baseball calendar, rivaling even the storied World Series.

The details

The semifinal matchup between the U.S. and Dominican Republic was a showcase of baseball's elite, with the starting lineups featuring 17 All-Stars, 5 MVP awards, 1 Cy Young, 5 Rookies of the Year, and 3 batting titles. The game was decided by home runs from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony, as well as stellar defensive plays from the likes of Aaron Judge and Julio Rodríguez. The U.S. bullpen held off a late Dominican rally to secure the 2-1 victory.

  • The World Baseball Classic semifinal game was played on Sunday, March 15, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic is the sixth edition of the tournament, which started in 2006.

The players

Aaron Judge

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

Gunnar Henderson

A young American player who hit a crucial home run to help the U.S. team defeat the Dominican Republic.

Juan Soto

A star outfielder for the Dominican Republic team, and former teammate of Aaron Judge on the New York Yankees.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

A star infielder for the Dominican Republic team and one of the most talented players in Major League Baseball.

Mark DeRosa

The manager of the U.S. team, who praised the game as one that will be remembered forever.

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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

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

— Albert Pujols, Dominican Republic manager

“Coming to the WBC here, you dream of representing this country and being here the next time around.”

— Roman Anthony, U.S. player

What’s next

The U.S. team will face either Venezuela or Italy in the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Baseball Classic has cemented its status as a premier international baseball tournament, with players and fans embracing the opportunity to represent their home countries. The passion and intensity of the competition, combined with the high level of talent on display, have made the WBC a must-watch event that may now surpass even the storied World Series in importance.