Aaron Judge recalls watching from home while Mike Trout led Team USA onto the field in the most recent World Baseball Classic finals, proudly carrying a flagpole flying the stars and stripes across his right shoulder.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge will play for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and serve as the squad's captain.Manager Mark DeRosa made the announcement Monday on MLB Network. Judge is the first player to be named to the team.

Before Team USA manager Mark DeRosa named Aaron Judge captain of his squad for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he ask Angels veteran Mike Trout for permission to give the Yankees slugger that title. “He’s the one,” Trout told DeRosa.