The Show: A NY Post baseball podcast with Joel Sherman & Jon Heyman · NYPost

Mark DeRosa Reveals How He Recruited The Best American World Baseball Classic Team Ever

·48 min·3 clips

DeRosa says Aaron Judge is the “pillar” that makes other Team USA players “fall in line.”

1. The Show: A NY Post baseball podcast with Joel Sherman & Jon Heyman centers on Mark DeRosa and the 2026 World Baseball Classic roster he is managing for Team USA. 2. Sherman is the host and MLB Network colleague who interviews DeRosa, while DeRosa is a 16-year major leaguer and the Team USA manager for the second straight time. 3. The episode asks how DeRosa recruited the roster, why Aaron Judge became the anchor, and what makes this American team different from past WBC groups. 4. DeRosa says he called Judge after Andy Pettitte told him Judge was already in, and Judge called back within 48 hours to say he wanted to do it. 5. He says Judge changes the room because once Judge is on board, position players like Kyle Schwarber want to join the same group. 6. DeRosa says Paul Skenes was the next major call, and Skenes told him the tournament had “been on my heart for a while.” 7. He says Skenes framed his decision around wanting to do it for “every service man and woman” who protects the country. 8. DeRosa says the roster was built around “high character guys” and fit, not just the biggest names. 9. He says Bobby Witt Jr. leads off, Judge fits best second or third, and Corbin Carroll was chosen because the lineup construction needed his profile. 10. He says the roster was made to avoid a “feeling out process” when the players arrive. 11. DeRosa says the team uses a 65-pitch limit in pool play, with some clubs asking for 50 pitches instead. 12. He says the staff honors parent clubs by coordinating bullpens and recovery plans with organizations like Pittsburgh and Detroit. 13. He says Clayton Kershaw was added because Team USA needed coverage after Mexico exposed how quickly a pitching plan can unravel. 14. He describes 2023 as a tournament where starters and relievers had to be burned early, including Devin Williams and Ryan Pressly. 15. DeRosa says Mike Trout was left off for insurance and playing-time reasons, not because Team USA did not want him. 16. He says the same issues also affected Clayton Kershaw in 2023 and that Byron Buxton’s eligibility showed how much medical status matters. 17. The tone stays conversational and practical, with Sherman pushing for roster details and DeRosa answering like a coach explaining a construction plan. 18. The segment moves like an interview and roster workshop, with Sherman mixing clubhouse talk, New York angles, and WBC logistics. 19. Listeners who follow Team USA, MLB roster building, or WBC recruitment will get the most from it. 20. Listeners wanting game recaps or non-baseball coverage will probably skip it.

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