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.
This is unbelievable. Terrible managing.
— Scott S. (@AZScott) 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.