David Wright was proud of how he earned his nickname with Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. At the time, with a new contract and before all the injuries limited his career, Wright was dubbed “Captain America” by his teammates.
Wright’s humility and grace, however, prevented him from taking the nickname too seriously. So when Yankees captain Aaron Judge took over the moniker this year after being named captain of the 2026 WBC Team USA, Wright gracefully passed the torch, even to a crosstown rival.
Speaking Tuesday at Citi Field, Wright was asked about Yankees star Aaron Judge recently being tagged with his old nickname, “Captain America.”
“Hitting like .900 with 100 homers through April,” Wright joked. “So, you know, I don’t have any objection to that. I mean, I wish I could hit like that.”
On the eve of an expected extra-spicy Subway Series this weekend, it was a nice gesture. With Juan Soto returning to the Bronx for the first time since bolting to the Mets in free agency, the passions are sure to be high in the New York City rivalry.
But it’s hard to deny that Judge has earned the title.
Judge has been on a historic tear to start the season, leading the majors with a .414 average and 18 home runs entering Tuesday night’s game. The Yankees captain’s dominance at the plate has reignited the “Captain America” moniker that Wright once carried during his peak years with the Mets and Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
For Mets fans, it was a reminder of Wright’s class. For Yankees fans, it’s just further proof that when you hit like Aaron Judge, even the original Captain America is impressed.
