Mark DeRosa, Thanks for letting your country down in World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic is the closest thing baseball has to an Olympic competition. It’s not lost on these players that they’re representing their countries the same way that Team USA (Men and Women) did in hockey, just weeks ago. The players are taking the competition seriously (Ask Cal Raleigh if you don’t believe me). The problem? Team USA’s Manager, Mark DeRosa, is not taking the responsibility seriously.
Just hours before playing Italy, and resting key players, DeRosa told reporters that his team had already punched their ticket to the next round of the competition. One thing - they hadn’t. After losing to Italy last night, Team USA now has to monitor the outcome of tonight’s game between Italy and Mexico if they hope to advance to the next round of the competition. “I was on Hot Stove with a couple of buddies today and completely misread the calculation.” DeRosa said after the loss. “We knew that Mexico was going to play Italy, and then running all the numbers, if we lost tonight with the runs allowed and runs scored and outs — so, I just misspoke.”
Which is it, DeRosa? Did you misspeak or misread?
Because those are two very different things.
Misspeaking means you knew the scenario and explained it poorly.
Misreading means you didn’t understand the scenario at all.
If it’s the second one, that’s a massive problem. Because knowing the scenario is literally the job description of the guy managing Team USA.
A manager’s job is simple: set the lineup, manage the bullpen, and know the situation your team is in.
Apparently we’re going two-for-three here.
Here’s where Team USA stands in regards to tonight’s game between Italy and Mexico (per The Athletic - Hopefully DeRosa gets a Subscription).
Team USA advances to the next round of the World Baseball Classic if:
-Italy wins
OR
-Mexico Wins AND Scores 6 or more runs OR
-Mexico Wins AND Allows 6 or more runs
Any other outcome would result in Team USA exiting the World Baseball Classic and watching the rest of the competition from their respective Spring Training locations.