Mark DeRosa! USA Manager & 16-Year MLB Vet on Harper, Trout, Judge & the Next Generation

This week on The JustIn Time Podcast, we sit down with Mark DeRosa—16-year MLB veteran, current MLB Network analyst, and Team USA manager. Mark’s journey from Ivy League standout at Penn to playing alongside Hall of Famers with the Atlanta Braves, and now leading America’s best on the international stage, is packed with incredible stories and wisdom. We reminisce about collecting baseball cards, childhood idols like Don Mattingly, and those pinch-me moments facing legends like Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux. Mark opens up about mentoring Bryce Harper as a rookie, the art of building team chemistry, and the thrill (and heartbreak) of managing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. You’ll hear candid tales from inside iconic clubhouses, lessons from Chipper Jones and Bobby Cox, and why Mark’s passion for the game—and its next generation—remains as strong as ever.

⏰ Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Justin welcomes Mark DeRosa; they bond over Don Mattingly and baseball card collecting

(00:03:52) - Mark’s prized photo with Don Mattingly and childhood card collecting stories

(00:06:21) - Early fan moments: meeting Yankee players, the impact of player-fan interactions

(00:12:47) - First MLB at-bat vs. Randy Johnson; “pinch me” moments in Yankee Stadium

(00:15:43) - Facing Hall of Famers: Bobby Cox’s tough assignments, early struggles, and learning to belong

(00:21:35) - Braves clubhouse culture, Chipper Jones’ mentorship, and learning to add value

(00:25:09) - Reinventing his swing: Texas, Michael Young, and the turning point in Mark’s career

(00:26:59) - Greg Maddux stories, clubhouse pranks, and the art of pitching

(00:30:53) - Mentoring Bryce Harper, rookie lessons, and earning your place in the clubhouse

(00:34:36) - Buster Posey’s arrival and recognizing future stars

(00:36:06) - Yankees vs. Braves in the World Series; Mark’s dual loyalties and Judge admiration

(00:38:42) - Comparing Aaron Judge and Barry Bonds; Bonds as the most dominant opponent

(00:41:42) - 2009 World Baseball Classic: playing with Jeter, David Wright, and Jimmy Rollins

(00:43:27) - Managing Team USA: Trout vs. Ohtani, WBC heartbreak, and building a winning culture

(00:54:05) - Bringing back infield/outfield drills and team bonding at the WBC

(00:55:38) - Venezuela game: team meeting, Trey Turner’s grand slam, and the power of chemistry

(00:57:15) - Learning to manage on the fly, trusting instincts, and the challenge of leading stars

(01:03:27) - Family influence, choosing Penn, and the decision between football and baseball

(01:04:44) - Losing his father, playing one last year for himself, and the meaning of legacy

(01:06:27) - Rapid fire: favorite athletes, Big East basketball, and jersey numbers

(01:10:14) - Favorite positions, shortstop memories, and realizing his role in the big leagues

(01:13:31) - Reflections on leadership, Team USA’s future, and the dream of winning it all

💡Key Topics:

📌 Mark DeRosa’s MLB journey: Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, and beyond

📌 Mentoring Bryce Harper and building veteran leadership

📌 Legendary teammates and stories: Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Jimmy Rollins

📌 Behind the scenes of Team USA and the World Baseball Classic

🧢 About Mark DeRosa:

Mark DeRosa played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball, contributing to teams like the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants. An Ivy League graduate from Penn, he’s now a respected MLB Network analyst and serves as the manager for Team USA, bringing his wealth of experience and leadership to the next generation of stars.

🎙️ About the JustIn Time Podcast:

The JustIn Time Podcast brings you exclusive, in-depth conversa