Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber relishing in WBC experience with Team USA

Scottsdale, Arizona — The World Baseball Classic is in full swing, and Team USA is looking to return to the top of the podium after finishing second to Japan in 2023. 

The lineup is a formidable one, featuring MLB All-Stars such as Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt and Kyle Schwarber, among others. However, they are also facing other teams filled with MLB’s top players, so it could prove to be a tough challenge as the tournament goes on. 

But that’s not deterring the excitement they have to play in the tournament.

“The biggest thing is just this is a once-in-a-lifetime (experience), getting the chance to be surrounded by the greatness we have in this room,” said Judge after the team’s exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. 

“MVPs, Cy Young winners, World Series champs, All-Stars… the list goes on and on. It’s going to be a cool experience, getting to play for your country and also learn a thing or two and just kind of pick guys’ brains, see what makes guys tick, and hopefully you can add something to your game and help you out.”

Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw agrees. 

“I think being on this team was a bucket list thing for me from the beginning, so to get to do that was really great and really fun,” he added. “Obviously, I thought I was never going to throw a baseball again, so to get to do it with Team USA across your chest and come back to that dugout… that team is really special.”

The WBC started with exhibitions on March 2 and runs through March 17, which doesn’t give players a lot of time to get to know each other and build camaraderie. But the players have wasted no time and are jumping on the opportunity to meet teammates they might not play with otherwise.

“An All-Star game is fun to get to know guys, but here, I think the difference is that we’re bonding,” said Judge. 

“We’re really diving into each other, trying to get to know each other, having each other’s backs. We’re rooting for each other. Guys are hitting homers that are usually on opposing teams and jumping out of the dugout. It’s pretty cool. It’s amazing to see, and I’m looking forward to (this tournament).”

Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt points to the size of the US as a factor. 

“It’s a challenge to get thrown together, honestly, especially for [Team] USA with how spread out the United States is,” he said. 

“Not a lot of us are going to play winter ball and stuff like that, where some of these other countries have that in the offseason. So there’s just being very intentional about having conversations with players in the locker room and not just leaving when the game ends or when you come out of the game and just doing your own thing. It does take time, and you can see everyone doing it. Everyone wants to play well and get to know each other, and just try to speed up that process as much as possible.”

Philadelphia Phillie Kyle Schwarber can already see things coming together 

“Luckily, we all kind of have a really good idea of who everyone is,” he said, “and I feel like the coaching staff has done a really good job of putting a lot of these guys in the room here that are great dudes. And we’ve been having team dinners and getting to know each other, and team meetings and things like that. No one’s afraid of conversation here, and I think that’s the best thing to have.”

Goldschmidt has played in three Classics – the only player on Team USA to do so. And he has seen significant changes since he first donned the uniform in 2017.

“In my first year, there were definitely some of the best of the best players that didn’t want to play,” he said. 

“Those of us that were there kind of wanted to prove how great this team could be, and we were able to win. And then I think more guys last time wanted to do it, and we saw the ending there against Japan. Even though we came up short, just how much fun everyone was having and how great the event [was] brought more media coverage on TV. So this time around, it feels like almost everyone wants to be a part of it.”

And Goldschmidt played a part in recruiting some players to play for their countries in the WBC.

“I went back [after 2017] and was just telling everyone on my team, everyone that got to first base that would listen, like, ‘You need to play for your country’ and of course the US guys need to go play for Team USA because it was great,” he said. 

“It was so much fun. The competition was great. We were basically playing an All-Star Game every night, and it definitely prepares you for the season. So I think all of those things really helped. And the same thing in 2023, and I just felt the momentum growing as well. Hopefully we can play well and keep it going where it grows even more.”

Kershaw has also paid attention to how the WBC has evolved, which is why playing for Team USA was a “bucket list item.”

“Every guy from Mookie [Betts] to Will Smith and even [Austin Barnes] when he played for Mexico – they all told me that it’s something you have to do and just the environment that’s created with it,” he said. “And now you see some of these teams… I mean, they’re pretty stacked with the [Dominican Republic] and Japan and those groups. So it’s going to be a playoff environment. It’s what everybody has told me, and [this] group is certainly motivated to win, which is really fun.”

For Schwarber, this year is about taking care of unfinished business.

“There’s a new team, new faces, new everything but we still have the same three letters across our chest where we didn’t get the job done three years ago and we want to fix that,” he said. 

“Everyone’s got the right mindsets here. Everyone’s looking forward to getting in this tournament and making a deep run and making it all the way and wearing a gold medal. So it’s a step at a time, a game at a time, and there’s no looking ahead and no looking behind. We’ve just got to be able to do what we do, take care of business, and go from there.”

Team USA is 2-0 in Pool Play so far, and will take on Mexico Monday at 8pm ET.