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Team USA manager Mark DeRosa responded to a question about criticism of his management during the World Baseball Classic after criticism piled up in recent days.
“I have an undying passion for this and an undying faith in every player on this roster,” DeRosa said in an interview with Fox Sports during Team USA’s game against Canada.
“I don’t think there’s an A or a B. I think they’re all A.”
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DeRosa’s comments come amid scrutiny after Team USA’s surprising 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play, a loss that sparked widespread discussion about lineup decisions and comments he made before the game about the Americans’ standing in the tournament.
WBC Team USA Captain Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and Team USA Manager Mark DeRosa speak to the media during a game between the Kansas City Royals and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 14, 2025 in New York, NY. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos)
Before the match, DeRosa said he believed Team USA had already clinched a spot in the knockout round, which proved incorrect once Italy pulled off the upset. The miscalculation quickly went viral and drew criticism from fans and analysts, some questioning the team’s approach and decision-making heading into the game.
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Despite the backlash, DeRosa has insisted that criticism has created misleading narratives about his management of the team and his understanding of the tournament format.
Team USA manager Mark DeRosa during the singing of the national anthem before a game against Team Great Britain at Daikin Park on March 7, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Gabriella Ricciardi/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Team USA entered the 2026 World Baseball Classic as one of the tournament favorites, with a star-studded lineup headlined by players like Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber. It is widely considered one of the most talented American teams ever assembled for the event.
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American right fielder Aaron Judge returns to the dugout after striking out against Italy to end the ninth inning at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, on March 10, 2026. (Thomas Shea/Image Images)
But the surprise loss to Italy exposed vulnerabilities and temporarily jeopardized the Americans’ quarterfinal hopes. Team USA eventually advanced out of the group thanks to other results, although failing to win the group put them in a tougher group going forward.
With the knockout rounds underway, Team USA will now look to silence the critics on the field and prove that DeRosa’s faith in the squad was justified.
