CARY, NC (AP) – Former major leaguer Mark DeRosa has been named the coach of Team USA for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
USA Baseball, based in Cary, North Carolina, announced the appointment on Friday. DeRosa’s professional coaching debut puts him in charge of the reigning world champion next spring.
He currently co-hosts MLB Network’s daily morning show, MLB Central.
“Mark DeRosa brings a lifetime of baseball knowledge to the dugout for Team USA,” said General Manager Tony Reagins. “(DeRosa) is well-respected both on and off the field and his experience and leadership as a player in the 2009 Classic will be a valuable asset as we navigate this process.”
The United States won the title in 2017, beating Puerto Rico 8-0 in the title game at Dodger Stadium.
DeRosa, 47, played for eight teams over 16 years in the majors, batting .268 with 100 homers and 494 RBI in 1,241 games. He made his major league debut with Atlanta in 1998 and played his last game with Toronto in 2013.
DeRosa, who won the 2010 World Series with San Francisco, first joined MLB Network as a guest analyst during the 2011 and 2013 postseasons.
Next year’s tournament will be played from March 8-21. The games will be held in Phoenix, Miami, Taichung, Taiwan and the Tokyo Dome in Japan. The semifinals and title game will be at LoanDepot Park in Miami from March 19-21.
USA Baseball will announce the full coaching staff next week.
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