Team USA manager Mark DeRosa earned the wrath of baseball fans Saturday night for some questionable game management against Team Venezuela in a WBC quarterfinal game.
The 48-year-old DeRosa, who played 16 MLB seasons, watched as Team USA pitcher Daniel Bard (Colorado Rockies) struggled with terrible control issues in the bottom of the fifth.
Team USA entered the inning leading 5-2, but Bard, in order, gave up a walk, a single, a wild pitch, hit Houston Astros star José Altuve with a pitch, threw another wild pitch and then walked another hitter before DeRosa gave him the hook.
Bard did not retire a hitter and gave up four runs, as Venezuela took the lead.
Pitchers have bad outings. It happens. The question is, why did DeRosa stick with him so long when he clearly did not have command?
Baseball fans put the blame squarely on DeRosa.
I watched Joe Girardi manage the Philadelphia Phillies for three years, and I still don’t think I’ve seen a manager blow a crucial game in the fashion that Mark DeRosa just did.
— Alex Carr (@AlexCarrMLB) March 19, 2023
One of the things Mark DeRosa talked about pre-tournament is how he told the veteran coaches on his staff: “Don’t let me be late.”
He was late that inning, with big consequences.
— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) March 19, 2023
DeRosa outclassed as a manager. Mismanaged this inning and if they lose its on him IMO
— Jeff McDonald (@JMAC_Baseball) March 19, 2023
This is unbelievable. Terrible managing.
— Scott S. (@AZScott) March 19, 2023
It’s obvious DeRosa as a manager has no plans or intentions on winning the WBC with his pitching staff. Still a lot of game left, but the impression he gives me is like a team playing down and is just waiting on big hits. #shouldbehitting
— Mike Romero (@mlromero6) March 19, 2023
Daniel Bard very, very, very clearly does not have it tonight. That he’s still in the game does not reflect well on Mark DeRosa’s bullpen management.
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) March 19, 2023
How does one get a chance to manage a national team without ever managing a game before? Such a joke of a process to come up with that
— David Gough (@DGough94) March 19, 2023
I know Mark DeRosa’s hands are tied, but leaving Daniel Bard in that long was inexcusable.
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) March 19, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.