Italy just pulled off its biggest win in the nation’s baseball history, beating the USA 8–6 in a Pool B matchup. This has made things a lot tougher for Team USA as they try to stay alive in the WBC.

Team USA has now dropped to 3–1, while Italy moves to a perfect 3–0. Italy now heads into a big showdown with Mexico (2–1) on Wednesday, a game that will decide which teams move on from Pool B, since only two can advance.

The fans’ wrath has fallen on Team USA captain Aaron Judge, who struggled in the game and ended up taking the brunt of the criticism after the loss.

“Aaron Judge is a great regular-season, doesn’t matter game player. But when it matters…choke!” One American fan offered a reality check via X.

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It’s not exactly new to hear Aaron Judge being labeled a “regular-season hero” by some fans. Just look at 2024.

He absolutely dominated during the regular season, leading MLB with a .322 batting average, 58 HRs, 144 RBIs, and a 1.159 OPS across 158 games. But once the postseason rolled around, things didn’t look the same.

In 14 playoff games, he managed just nine hits with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs!

And moments like the infamous dropped ball in the World Series in 2024 only added fuel to the criticism, with many fans saying it cost the Yankees their shot at the title.

That narrative came back again in tonight’s game against Italy.

In the ninth inning, with Team USA trailing 8–6, all eyes were on their Captain America to spark a comeback. Instead, Aaron Judge hit a swing and miss off of righty relief pitcher Greg Weissert, finishing 0-for-4 with one strikeout and one walk.

With the latest loss, the dream team is eyeing an early exit from the pool stage if Mexico wins the next game against Italy. While similar heartbreaks are nothing new for the Yankees fans, the entire American fan base is experiencing the same now. And their common link?

Aaron Judge.

For frustrated fans, tonight’s game was enough to revive the familiar criticism, once again calling the Yankees star a “choker” in big moments and blaming him for Team USA’s loss.

Fans are putting Aaron Judge at the receiving end

Fans are taking no time to relate Aaron Judge’s struggle against Italy with that of the Yankees’ dry run in MLB. “I wouldn’t have Aaron judge lead a pack of wolves,” one fan said.

Another simply showed their disappointment with the comment, “When Aaron Judge is your captain.“

Since he became captain at the end of 2022, Judge won back-to-back AL MVP awards in 2024 and 2025. But despite his personal success, the Yankees still haven’t managed to win a World Series. While they did make it to the World Series in 2024 for the first time since 2009, they couldn’t finish the job. So while fans admire Judge’s individual numbers, many feel that when it comes to leading the team in clutch moments, he tends to fall short.

“Aaron Judge is in postseason form already. What a loser,” another user remarked.

“Classic Aaron Judge in the clutch,” added another.

While Judge was struggling in the 2024 postseason, things were different last year. In the 2025 postseason, Aaron Judge batted .500 with a 1.273-1.304 OPS, 7 RBIs, and 5 runs over 7 games. But despite Aaron Judge’s heroics, if Team USA or the Yankees couldn’t perform as a team, nothing would change.

“Aaron judge aint no Shohei,” this expected GOAT comparison had to land. Shohei Ohtani got 2 consecutive World Series and has been dominant on the field. Shohei Ohtani dominated the opening games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He fueled Japan’s undefeated start with a 3-for-4, 5-RBI performance, including a grand slam against Chinese Taipei. Then, there was another home run against Korea.

Through early March 2026, he is hitting over .800.

Now, if Team USA gets out of the WBC, Aaron Judge would certainly take a lot more heat before the regular season.