#mark derosa

This article argues that Team USA’s 2026 WBC fate will be decided less by celebrity starters and more by the relief corps that has to survive under tournament pressure. It opens with the memory of the 2023 final and the Ohtani vs Trout ending, then shifts to Houston as the testing ground where Pool B games and roof trapped noise will force quick, high leverage decisions. The piece explains how WBC pitch caps, rest rules, and the new pace of play turn a bullpen from a support unit into the tournament’s true control center. In this format, one bad inning does not just hurt tonight. It can take arms away for days. 

The ranking of arms gives the article its backbone. Mason Miller sits at the top as the late inning intimidator, with David Bednar, Griffin Jax, Garrett Whitlock, Brad Keller, Gabe Speier, Garrett Cleavinger, Nolan McLean, Joe Ryan, and Michael Wacha filling roles built for survival, matchup relief, and bridge work. The larger claim is that Mark DeRosa’s hardest choices will come before the ninth, not in it. Team USA has velocity, depth, and more ways to cover the ugly middle innings than before. The question is whether that structure finally gives them the finish they lacked in 2023. 

This roster breakdown starts with the last pitch of 2023, Ohtani striking out Trout, and treats 2026 as a test of whether Team USA can handle the noise when the tournament gets tight. The argument is that talent is obvious. Behavior is the edge.

Aaron Judge sits at the center of it. The piece notes his captaincy announcement in April 2025 and the early February 2026 roster reveal, which stacks awards and pitching firepower. It frames the job as leadership under compression, not just slugging. A short schedule, pitch limits, and hostile crowds can drag even elite hitters into rushed swings.

Houston becomes the proving ground. Pool B at Daikin Park brings Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy in four games across five days. The Mexico night is treated like the real gut check. The article also points out how fast plans change, using Corbin Carroll’s injury and Roman Anthony’s replacement call as the first reminder that the roster is a living thing. 

June 3, 2007

#OTD in @chicagocubs history ▸ the Northsiders pick up their 10,000 franchise victory* in a 10-1 route of the @atlantabraves in front 40,000+ fans at @wrigleyfield. 

Against his old team, 2B Mark DeRosa provides the key offensive spark in the first-inning belting a two-out grand slam. Meanwhile LHP Sean Marshall pitches 6.2 strong innings to pick up the win.

DREAM, Celebrate Opening Refurbished Field Of Dreams Through Grant From Scotts And MLB

DREAM, along with Major League Baseball and The Scotts Company LLC (Scotts), celebrated the newly refurbished Field of Dreams with a ribbon-cutting in East Harlem, New York yesterday. (more…)

August 8, 2006