Aaron Judge Tells Derek Jeter How Jack Hughes Losing Teeth at Olympics Inspired USA for WBC
Team USA captain Aaron Judge revealed how the United States drew inspiration for the World Baseball Classic from U.S. hockey star Jack Hughes losing his teeth at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
"Seeing people busting their teeth out, knocked out, everything, it didn't matter," Judge told Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter (0:27 mark). "They were there to represent their country and go for the gold."
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Hughes lost multiple teeth after getting hit with a high stick during the United States' gold medal clash with Canada at the Olympics, but still ended up delivering the game-winning overtime goal.
It represented the first U.S. men's hockey gold medal at the Games since 1980.
Meanwhile, Judge and the United States' baseball squad are attempting to win a WBC title for the first time since 2017. Team USA advanced to the final in 2023 but fell to Japan in the championship game.
Players arrived to Tuesday's final wearing game-used U.S. hockey sweaters from the Olympics, with Pete Crow-Armstrong putting on Hughes' jersey.
Judge and Team USA will face off against Venezuela for the 2026 WBC title at 8 p.m. ET.
