Kyle Schwarber, Mason Miller and Team USA slammed over ‘disrespectful’ act immediately after WBC defeat

Team USA finished runners-up in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) after suffering a 3-2 loss to Venezuela in Tuesday’s final.

It was a turbulent tournament throughout for the US, who heading into the event were described as having ‘the greatest lineup ever constructed.’

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But it was never smooth sailing for the US, who suffered a surprise defeat to Italy in pool play after manager Mark DeRosa made a brutal ‘miscalculation‘ thinking they had already qualified when they hadn’t.

The USA were heavy favorites heading into Tuesday’s final, but it was Venezuela who would end up raucously celebrating at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

The US players were forced to stick around for a medal ceremony after the game, in which MLB commissioner Rob Manfred greeted each player and presented them with a silver medal.

In just a matter of a few minutes, though, multiple USA players were seen taking off their second-place medals before even making it back to the clubhouse.

The act sparked widespread criticizm from baseball fans across the country, with many calling it a ‘terrible look’.

“Terrible look. He should have taken off his WS ring in the same manner… Take the good with the bad Kyle,” one fan said, hinting at Kyle Schwarber’s production during the 2016 Chicago Cubs season.

“Mason Miller took it off faster,” a second fan pointed out.

“Americans are that rare breed of terrible losers AND terrible winners,” another fan said.

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“Disrespecting the tournament isn’t a flex,” a fourth added.

“Team USA should have done better. And yes, I’d take off the silver too. Baseball is supposed to be our sport. Our MANAGER (Who is a joke) and our team let us down,” a fifth concluded.

DeRosa throws subtle shade at Padres over Mason Miller

With the game tied at two in the ninth inning, DeRosa turned to Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock instead of dominant closer Mason Miller.

Miller is one of the elite pitchers of the sport, so much so that he hasn’t allowed a hit since September 8th (hitters are 0-50 with 39 K’s against him).

There were questions heading into the final about Miller’s availability, with the players’ parent teams usually wielding a degree of control over workloads during the tournament.

Speaking to reporters after the game, DeRosa appeared to have a subtle dig at the San Diego Padres.

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“Honoring the Padres,” DeRosa said, via Bob Nightengale on X.

“Had we taken the lead, he was coming in, but I wasn’t going to bring him into a tie game.”

By stating he was honoring the organization, he indicated that Miller was being reserved for a save situation rather than a tie.

The strategy reflects tension between parent and international teams, with clubs prioritizing long-term health which can influence how national teams deploy pitchers.

But in the end, what’s done is done. The USA will now wait another three years to snap their runner-up ‘curse’ and go for gold again.

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