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Team USA manager Mark DeRosa responded to a question about criticism of his management during the World Baseball Classic after critics have poured in on him in recent days.
“I have an undying passion for it and an undying belief in every guy on this roster,” DeRosa said in an in-game 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’s.”
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DeRosa’s comments come amid scrutiny after Team USA’s surprising 8-6 loss to Italy in pool play, a defeat 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 thought Team USA had already clinched a spot in the knockout round, which proved wrong as Italy pulled off an upset. The miscalculation quickly went viral and drew criticism from fans and analysts, with some questioning the team’s approach and decision-making heading into the game.
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Despite the backlash, DeRosa has insisted the criticism has created misleading narratives about his handling of the team and his understanding of the tournament format.
Manager Mark DeRosa of Team USA during the singing of the national anthem prior to a game against Team Great Britain at Daikin Park on March 7, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Gabriella Ricciardi/MLB Images via Getty Images)
Team USA entered the 2026 World Baseball Classic as one of the tournament favorites, boasting a star-studded lineup with players like Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber. It is considered to be one of the most talented American teams ever assembled for the event.
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U.S. right fielder Aaron Judge walks back to the dugout after striking out Italy to end the ninth inning at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, March 10, 2026. (Thomas Shea/Imagn Images)
But the upset loss to Italy exposed vulnerabilities and temporarily jeopardized the Americans’ quarterfinal hopes. Team USA ultimately advanced out of pool play thanks to other results, though failing to win the group put them in a more difficult bracket going forward.
With the knockout rounds underway, Team USA will now look to silence critics on the court and prove that DeRosa’s faith in the roster was justified.
