Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has responded to mounting criticism regarding his management during the World Baseball Classic. "I have an undying passion for it and an undying belief in every guy on this roster," DeRosa stated. "I don't think there's an A or a B. I think they're all A's."
His comments follow an unexpected 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play, which sparked debate over lineup decisions and pre-game remarks. DeRosa had stated Team USA had clinched a spot in the knockout round, a miscalculation that proved incorrect and drew criticism.
Despite the backlash, DeRosa insists the criticism has created misleading narratives. Team USA, a favorite in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with stars like Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber, saw its vulnerabilities exposed by the upset loss to Italy. While the team advanced out of pool play, failing to win the group places them in a tougher bracket for the knockout rounds.
As the knockout rounds begin, Team USA aims to silence critics and validate DeRosa's confidence in the roster.