Overview
- Judge rejected claims that Team USA lacked energy, saying passion can be less visible and rooted in daily work and preparation.
- Derek Jeter criticized the notion that the tournament outranks the World Series, noting the difficulty of a 162-game season plus postseason.
- Team USA fell 3-2 to Venezuela in the WBC final, with Judge going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and Bryce Harper providing a two-run homer.
- Boston’s Willson Contreras said representing his country in the event meant more to him personally than winning the 2016 World Series.
- Judge’s earlier comments about the event being bigger than the World Series drew heavy backlash from fans on social media.