DeRosa Defends Team USA Amid Criticism

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa recently addressed the mounting criticism surrounding his leadership during the World Baseball Classic. This comes after Team USA’s surprising 8-6 defeat against Italy in pool play.

In an interview during a game against Canada, DeRosa expressed his deep commitment to the team, stating, “I have an undying passion for this team and an undying belief in every player on this roster.” He emphasized that he doesn’t see a distinction between players—”I don’t think there’s an A or a B. I think it’s all A.”

The aftermath of the loss to Italy ignited discussions regarding the team’s lineup choices and DeRosa’s pregame optimism about their standing in the tournament. He had previously mentioned that he believed Team USA was already on its way to the finals. Yet, the unexpected defeat led to backlash from both fans and analysts, who began to question the team’s strategy and choices.

Despite the negativity, DeRosa contended that the criticism has painted a misleading picture about how teams are treated and the structure of the tournament. Entering the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Team USA was viewed as a leading contender with prominent figures like Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber on the roster, making it one of the most capable American teams ever assembled.

Though the upset against Italy briefly threatened Team USA’s chances in the quarterfinals, they managed to advance due to favorable outcomes in other matches. However, their inability to finish atop their group positioned them in a tougher bracket moving forward.

Now, as the finals begin, Team USA hopes to quiet the skeptics and demonstrate that DeRosa’s confidence in his roster is well-placed.