JUDGE & JETER ARE MORE DIFFERENT THAN YOU THOUGHT!

I know a lot of us are focused on the end of spring training. I am too, but I am also still thinking about the World Baseball Classic. I'm not even stewing over the fact that we lost. I am thinking about what Aaron Judge said after USA beat the Dominican Republic.

You probably know what I am talking about, but if you don't Judge made some interesting comments comparing the World Series with the World Baseball Classic, you can read about it HERE.
"I'll say, it's been bigger," Judge told reporters. "The World Series I was in versus the crowd here and the one we had against Mexico, it's bigger and better than the World Series. The passion that these fans have representing their country, representing some of their favorite players, there's nothing like it."

There's no doubt in my mind that putting on a jersey with your country's name on it is something that cannot be described, and could be one of those once in a lifetime moments. There's a lot of pride, and a feeling of being part of something bigger than just yourself and the MLB team you play for. I just don't know that I would say the crowds are "bigger and better" than the World Series. That's like comparing a New York pizza to Paella!

I guess that means I thinking more like Derek Jeter who did say "I think people are always trying to compare what's bigger. It's completely different. When you retire, they ask, ‘How many championships did you win?’ for a reason. Playing in a World Series, going through a 162-game schedule plus the postseason, is difficult to do." It is hard to compare a tournament played for a couple of weeks with some players not even on a MLB team to a 162-game season. I think Jeter is right. They are completely different. Playing on a MLB team AND the World Baseball Classic are both huge accomplishments, and great moments in a player's career....but they are not one in the same.

The World Baseball Classic elimination round is a one game lose and your done scenario. The best team doesn't always win, sometimes it is the team that gets great pitching and a few timely hits in that game. We saw that in this tournament. I will not downplay the talent and significance of the tournament but the World Series is still the ultimate title in this sport and you have to accomplish infinitely more to get that ring and call yourself a champion.

I'd be interested to hear what Judge says later IF he ever wins a Word Series. Jeter has FIVE World Series championships and competed in two World Baseball Classics so there's no one more qualified to speak on the subject than he is. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj