Mark DeRosa is back in the saddle for Team USA. You might remember the last time former Atlanta Braves utilityman DeRosa took the reins of Team USA during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
He wasn’t just a guy in a uniform—he was a tactician, a motivator, and a grinder who led a star-studded roster straight to the championship game in Miami. That journey included a thrilling knockout of Venezuela in the quarterfinals and a dismantling of Cuba in the semis.
And let’s not forget: Team USA went 3-1 in the group stage before falling just short to Samurai Japan in the final. Yeah, second place stings—but if you watched that run, you know it was anything but a failure.
From Braves Utility Player to Postseason Hero
Now he’s back for another round. And while the job of following Hall of Famer Jim Leyland—who coached Team USA to their only WBC title in 2017—was no easy feat, DeRosa made it look like he belonged. And maybe that’s because he’s no stranger to climbing uphill.
Let’s rewind to where it all began: the Atlanta Braves. Drafted in the seventh round out of UPenn, DeRosa wore a Braves uniform from 1998 to 2004, mostly in a utility role. But make no mistake, he made it count when he got his shot.
His bat came alive in the postseason—he slashed .368 with a 1.060 OPS over 13 games, and that clutch double in Game 2 of the 2003 NLDS against the Cubs? Straight-up iconic.
Chicago Grit and Career Highs
Ironically, it was with the Cubs that he saw the most regular playing time. Two seasons, 149 games each, and a 2008 campaign that saw him post career highs in OPS (.857), OBP (.376), and RBIs (87). That was peak DeRosa: versatile, consistent, and always in the mix when it mattered most.
After a 16-year career that took him through the baseball map—from Texas to Toronto, Cleveland to San Francisco, St. Louis to Washington—DeRosa stepped away from the game in 2013. But he didn’t exactly disappear.
He became a familiar face on MLB Network, breaking down the game with the same intensity and insight he brought to the field. And if you’re a MLB The Show fan, he’s in your ear too.
The Road Ahead for Team USA
DeRosa’s not just a former Brave or a talking head on TV. He’s the leader of Team USA, ready to chase that elusive second title. He’s proven he can navigate the pressure, connect with the players, and light a fire when it’s needed most.
Round two is on deck. With DeRosa calling the shots again, you’d better believe Team USA has unfinished business.
