Team USA Baseball Fired Up After Olympic Hockey Wins

When Jack Hughes scored that overtime goal to beat Canada for Olympic gold, Aaron Judge wasn't on the ice. But the Yankees captain and his Team USA baseball teammates were watching, texting, and getting fired up for their own shot at glory.

Judge told The Pat McAfee Show that his WBC squad has been buzzing about both the men's and women's hockey teams' dramatic overtime victories in Milan. "We sent so many pictures of Hughes in the group text," Judge said. "Now it's WBC, we get the chance to throw on the red, white, and blue and copy what they did."

The timing couldn't be better. Team USA baseball kicks off the World Baseball Classic this week with redemption on their minds after losing to Japan in the 2023 championship game. This time, they're bringing a loaded roster including both Judge and Bryce Harper.

Harper, who has worn the Stars and Stripes since the U-18 team in 2008, brings a deeper perspective to what the jersey means. "When I was young, when you put U.S. on our hats, it's about us," Harper explained. "No matter where you came from, who you played for, what you got, we don't care because every single day we come out here, it's for the greater good of America."

The Ripple Effect

What started as two hockey teams grinding out overtime victories has sparked a wave of patriotic energy across American sports. The momentum from Milan is flowing into Houston, where Team USA baseball opens against Brazil on March 6. Athletes across different sports are feeding off each other's success, creating a collective drive to represent their country at the highest level.

Harper summed up the feeling: "There's no greater feeling than going out there, hearing the national anthem blare over the speakers, knowing what you represent."

After watching hockey make history, baseball is ready for its turn.