The World Baseball Classic is officially underway.
The fun began late on Tuesday night after a six-year hiatus.
However, the Classic is back in full swing and it’s time to see which team will emerge victorious.
Team USA will not get going until Saturday, and their first game will be against Great Britain, with veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright drawing the start.
Wainwright’s former teammate Mark DeRosa is the manager of Team USA and is excited for the opportunity to manage the team.
On Tuesday, DeRosa chatted with MLB Network analysts Greg Amsinger and Jon Morosi and discussed what it means to him to have this opportunity.
"I wanted them to understand that we need to become a team quick and honor why you're putting [USA] across your chest."@USABaseball manager @markdero7 gave insight on his first day speech and his plans for the team.@jonmorosi | #WorldBaseballClassic | MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/wNAt7KBboO
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 8, 2023
DeRosa said he thought about how he would first address the team for the last several months.
He says he’s honored to manage the team and is excited to work with such a talented group of players.
DeRosa was also humbled to have some of the greatest baseball players in the world listening to what he had to say.
The former MLB star wanted to make sure that the players understood that the Classic is more than just a series of exhibition games, and that it goes by quickly.
The players who have joined the team are coming off of two quick weeks of spring training and are prepared for a quick and competitive tournament.
DeRosa believes that the team has to buy into the message and come together rather quickly in order to be fully prepared to compete in the Classic and bring home another title.
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