Team USA Enters WBC Final with Different Style Than Flashy Opponents

The U.S. baseball team is preparing for the World Baseball Classic championship game with a more reserved approach compared to their Latin American opponents' theatrical style. Captain Aaron Judge's calm leadership has shaped the team's personality, though they acknowledge and respect the flair of players like Juan Soto.

MIAMI (AP) — As Team USA prepares for the World Baseball Classic championship game, players are addressing criticism about their reserved style while showing respect for their opponents’ more theatrical approach.

Team captain Aaron Judge’s steady leadership style has shaped the atmosphere in the American clubhouse as they prepare for Tuesday night’s championship match against either Venezuela or Italy. While the Americans maintain their composed approach, they express admiration for the dramatic celebrations of Latin stars like Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

“You guys would all think it’s silly if we shuffled like Soto or did Vladdy’s little wiggle,” American outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong commented following Sunday night’s 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic. “That’s them and if I had enough swag to do that I would probably do that, too. … We have fun in our own way, but we definitely have fun out there.”

Judge’s leadership approach has established the team’s culture, similar to his influence with the New York Yankees.

The 6-foot-7 captain commands respect from his teammates for more than just his physical stature.

“It’s been cool to see how he goes about his business,” commented standout pitcher Paul Skenes, who stands 6-foot-6 as the team’s second-tallest player. “He’s not faking anything. He’s playing as Aaron Judge, so that’s just his personality in the clubhouse and off the field. Obviously it shows up on the field, too.”

Manager Mark DeRosa revealed that Judge declined wearing a captain’s “C” on his jersey.

“Leader of men. Classy in every decision he makes,” DeRosa commented. “A lot of decisions that I’ve made throughout the course of the WBC I have made with his recommendations.”

The American squad has faced criticism for their sometimes restrained demeanor, including when catcher Cal Raleigh avoided shaking hands with Seattle teammate Randy Arozarena during pool play against Mexico. The team has also incorporated military connections throughout the tournament, with players saluting after wins. Both Skenes and Griffin Jax attended the Air Force Academy, and the team hosted Robert J. O’Neill, a former Navy SEAL who claims responsibility for killing Osama bin Laden in 2011, as a clubhouse speaker.

“You never want it to get lost why you’re doing this, whatever that why is,” DeRosa explained. “And a lot of people — like Paul Skenes said to me when he signed up for this, ‘I want to do this for every serviceman and woman who protects our freedom,’ and that’s why we wear USA across our chest.

“So I thought it would just be a time to redirect and get these guys to understand that, although this is an unbelievable event and you get a chance to share the locker room with the game’s greats, there’s a reason why we’re doing it and a reason why people protect our freedom at night. I just wanted to honor that. So that’s why he came in to talk.”

DeRosa acknowledged his earlier mistake when he prematurely claimed the United States had secured advancement to the quarterfinals before playing Italy, calling it simply an “overly confident statement” and confirming Thursday that he understood nothing was guaranteed then.

The manager faced criticism for declaring before the Italy loss that “our ticket’s punched to the quarterfinals.” This proved incorrect, and the U.S. only secured advancement after Italy defeated Mexico 9-1 on the group’s final day.

“I misspoke,” DeRosa subsequently acknowledged. “I completely misread the calculations.”

This marks the third consecutive WBC final appearance for the United States, as they pursue their second championship following their 2017 victory. The team fell 3-2 to Japan in the 2023 final.

Bryce Harper, now 33 and a 14-year veteran, recalled attempting to play with Latin-influenced style early in his major league career. He remembered drawing attention with gray bats, unique cleats, and dramatic eye black.

“I kind of got pounded for it,” he recalled. “So there’s an American way of baseball everybody talks about, right? But I think that’s so far from the truth. Obviously, when we grow up, we play a different style. But we learn from other people’s styles, as well.”

The Dominican Republic received tremendous energy from their passionate supporters.

“One hit for them got the crowd out of their seat. A 3-0 count got the crowd out their seat,” Crow-Armstrong observed. “You don’t necessarily see that with fans from the U.S. all the time.”

Nolan McLean, a 24-year-old rookie right-handed pitcher with only eight major league appearances, will take the mound for Team USA. He previously surrendered two home runs across three innings in the March 10 group stage loss to Italy, departing with a 3-0 deficit that nearly resulted in first-round elimination.

“Obviously I got clipped there a couple times … but overall I felt really good,” he said Monday. “It’s just kind of a dream come true to be able to get the ball in such a big moment, and it’s something I want to do.”