The Chicago Cubs will have a strong presence at next month’s World Baseball Classic, with 13 members of the organization suiting up for their respective countries. Headlining the group are Pete Crow-Armstrong, Alex Bregman, Seiya Suzuki, Jameson Taillon, Javier Assad, Matthew Boyd, and Daniel Palencia - a mix of established talent and rising stars who will showcase their skills on an international stage.
But the Cubs’ connection to the WBC doesn’t end with the players. The man managing Team USA, Mark DeRosa, knows a thing or two about wearing Cubbie blue.
DeRosa spent two impactful seasons in Chicago during his 16-year big league career, helping the Cubs to back-to-back NL Central titles in 2007 and 2008. Brought in primarily as a second baseman, he quickly became a Swiss Army knife for Lou Piniella’s club - a do-it-all utility man who delivered both with the glove and the bat.
During his time on the North Side, DeRosa played across the diamond - first, second, third, left, and right field - and hit a strong .289/.373/.451, good for a 109 OPS+. That kind of versatility made him a fan favorite and a key cog in a Cubs team that looked poised to break through in the late 2000s. He wasn’t just filling holes - he was producing at an above-average clip while doing it.
Now, DeRosa brings that same adaptable mindset to the dugout as he leads Team USA in pursuit of its first WBC title since 2017. He’s built a roster that reflects his own playing style - versatile, competitive, and unafraid of the big moment.
“Building this team was never easy, but it was done with purpose and pride,” DeRosa said. “These players know what it means to wear USA across their chest, and we’re ready to go to work and bring the World Baseball Classic trophy back home.”
DeRosa’s time in Chicago ended after the 2008 season when the Cubs dealt him to Cleveland in a move that brought back a package of prospects - including a young pitcher named Chris Archer, who would go on to become one of the more talked-about arms of the next decade. That trade marked the beginning of the journeyman phase of DeRosa’s career. By the time he retired in 2013, he had suited up for eight different MLB teams.
Since hanging up the cleats, DeRosa has stayed close to the game. He’s become a familiar face on MLB Network and even lent his voice to the MLB The Show video game series as a color commentator.
His first stint managing Team USA came in 2023, when he led the squad to a runner-up finish behind Japan. That experience gave him a taste of what it’s like to steer a team on the international stage - and he’s back for more, this time with gold in his sights.
As the World Baseball Classic approaches, all eyes will be on this Cubs-connected contingent. From rising prospects to seasoned veterans, and a manager who once roamed Wrigley’s infield with grit and smarts, there’s no shortage of storylines. And if DeRosa can guide Team USA to the top of the podium, don’t be surprised if his name starts surfacing in MLB managerial circles come next offseason.