Michael Kay defends Aaron Judge's WBC performance

Yankees broadcaster calls out fans criticizing the star outfielder's effort in the World Baseball Classic

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:41am

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Longtime Yankees announcer and ESPN Radio host Michael Kay pushed back strongly against criticism directed at USA captain Aaron Judge following his lackluster performance in the World Baseball Classic. Kay defended Judge, saying the star outfielder had a solid tournament and that the "haters are out there in full force" when it comes to scrutinizing the Yankees star.

Why it matters

This story highlights the intense scrutiny and criticism that high-profile athletes like Aaron Judge face, even when representing their country in an international tournament. Kay's comments reflect the challenges stars like Judge deal with from overly critical fans, especially those of the storied Yankees franchise.

The details

Kay addressed the backlash during his radio show, taking issue with what he described as an overreaction to a small sample of games. He pointed out that while Judge struggled, the entire Team USA lineup "crapped the bed" in the tournament, yet Judge was singled out for criticism. Judge went 6-for-27 with two homers and five RBIs in the WBC, hitting .222 with an .845 OPS.

  • The 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game took place on March 17, 2026.
  • Kay addressed the criticism of Judge's WBC performance on his radio show this week.

The players

Aaron Judge

The star outfielder for the New York Yankees who represented Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Michael Kay

The longtime Yankees announcer and ESPN Radio host who defended Judge against criticism from Yankees fans.

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What they’re saying

“We can go up and down that All-Star-laden-Hall-of-Fame-to-be lineup, and they all crapped the bed. Every single one of them except for Harper. But the one guy who's going to get villainized and scrutinized and criticized, the one guy that everybody decides, 'I'm going to pile on this guy,' is Aaron Judge, who if you look at his numbers in the WBC, probably had as good a WBC as anybody that played on Team USA.”

— Michael Kay, Yankees Broadcaster

“As I said this [Wednesday], I blame Yankee fans that try to find the warts on this guy. Those are the people I don't get. And I know you're starved for another championship. I get it. [It's] been since 2009. I understand. But you're Yankee fans and you see what he does to get you into the postseason on a yearly basis.”

— Michael Kay, Yankees Broadcaster

What’s next

Judge and the Yankees are the favorites to win the American League for the second time in three years this coming season.

The takeaway

This case highlights the intense scrutiny and criticism that high-profile athletes like Aaron Judge face, even when representing their country. Kay's defense of Judge reflects the challenges stars deal with from overly critical fans, especially those of the storied Yankees franchise.