1. Current roster

2. Primary National Team Tournament Records
    World Baseball Classic  Record by team  2006: Inaugural Classic  2009: America's second best finish  2013: Stiffer competition; America misses the finals again   2017: First Championship  Olympic Games  2000: The United States wins gold  2008: Final appearance for Olympic baseball  Amateur World Series and Baseball World Cup  2007  2009  Intercontinental Cup  Pan American Games  Haarlem Baseball Week  World Port Tournament 

3. Collegiate National Team

4. Other national teams

5. See also

6. Notes

7. External links

The United States national baseball team is the national baseball team of the United States in international-level baseball competitions. The team is currently ranked 2nd in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Team USA won the Olympic baseball tournament in 2000 and the World Baseball Classic in 2017.^[1]

The U.S. was an inaugural member of the World Baseball Classic, making its debut in the first edition. In their first three appearances in the WBC, the best finish for the Americans was a fourth-place showing in 2009.

Finally in 2017, a new team managed by Jim Leyland, and led by the likes of Adam Jones, Marcus Stroman, and Eric Hosmer, won the tournament. The U.S. beat Japan in the semifinals, and topped previously undefeated Puerto Rico in the final by an 8-0 score to win the WBC title for the first time ever.

Current roster

Primary National Team Tournament Records

World Baseball Classic

In June {{Baseball year|2005}}, Major League Baseball announced the formation of the World Baseball Classic, a 16 nation international competition to be held in March of {{Baseball year|2006}} for the first time. The tournament is the first of its kind to have the national teams of IBAF's member federations feature professional players from the major leagues around the world, including Major League Baseball.

Record by team

2006: Inaugural Classic

On January 17, {{Baseball year|2006}}, the United States announced its provisional 60 man roster (52 players in all), and whittled down the squad mixed with youth and experience to thirty players on February 14, 2006. Sixteen of the thirty Major League clubs were represented on the 2006 squad, including multiple representatives from the New York Yankees (4), Houston Astros (3), Washington Nationals (3), Atlanta Braves (2), Boston Red Sox (2), Chicago Cubs (2), Colorado Rockies (2), Houston Astros (2), and Texas Rangers (2). The fact that four Yankees were selected for the squad irked Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who was opposed to the WBC being held in the middle of spring training to the point where at his team's complex in Tampa, Florida, he posted a sign apologizing for their absence and mocking the tournament in the process. Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig promptly ordered him to take down the sign the next day.

Manager Buck Martinez brought his 17 years of professional experience as a major league catcher, and 1+ seasons as Toronto Blue Jays' ({{Baseball year|2001}}–{{Baseball year|2002}}) skipper to the U.S. team. Former big league managers Davey Johnson and Marcel Lachemann served as hitting coach and pitching coach, respectively.

Along with fellow North American rivals Canada and Mexico, the U.S. hosted the South Africa. Round One games were held at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona and Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona. The top two teams advanced to Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, California.

Despite a surprising loss to Canada, the United States advanced to the second round via tiebreaker. However, second-round losses to South Korea and Mexico allowed Japan to advance over the Americans via tiebreak.

2009: America's second best finish

The United States competed in Pool C of the 2009 World Baseball Classic along with Italy, Venezuela and host Canada. The U.S. won the pool opener against Canada by a score of 6-, and secured advancement into Round 2 by defeating Venezuela in a 15–6 slugfest. Venezuela, however, came back to defeat the U.S. in the championship game of Pool C, 5–3.

On March 14, in their first match of round 2 against Puerto Rico, in Miami, Florida's Dolphin Stadium, the United States was mercy ruled for the first time in international competition, losing 11–1 in seven innings. Adam Dunn and Captain Derek Jeter were among the ones to voice their distaste with the severe beating. Manager Davey Johnson even stated "I should have stayed there", referencing a wedding he was at earlier in the day.

The United States came on strong the following day against the surprising Netherlands (who had already eliminated a tournament super power: The Dominican Republic), jumping out to a 6–0 lead in the fourth inning, and winning 9–3. With Puerto Rico losing to Venezuela 2–0 the following day, the U.S. would face Puerto Rico once again in the qualifying round. The loser would be eliminated from the tournament. With Puerto Rico leading 5–3 in the 9th inning, singles by Shane Victorino and Brian Roberts and walks by Jimmy Rollins and Kevin Youkilis cut the lead to 5–4 for New York Mets third baseman David Wright, who looped a barely-fair single into right that brought in Roberts and Rollins to win the game, 6–5, advancing to the semifinals while eliminating Puerto Rico. The United States would go on to lose to Japan 9–4 in the second semifinal.

2013: Stiffer competition; America misses the finals again

The United States team competed in Pool D of the 2013 World Baseball Classic along with Italy, Canada and Mexico. The U.S. team lost to Mexico in the first round 5-2, but later won two games against Canada and Italy, securing their place for the second round, along with Italy, on Pool 2.

On March 12, they beat Puerto Rico 7-1, which then proceeded to face off against the Dominican Republic on March 14, losing 3-1 where they face off Puerto Rico once again the next day, as Puerto Rico beat the American team 4-3 (as revenge for being eliminated from the 2009 World Baseball Classic), thus eliminating them from the tournament.

2017: First Championship

The Americans won their first game over Colombia, 3-2, in 10 innings on a walk-off single by Adam Jones. After losing to the Dominican Republic after having a 5-run lead, the U.S. defeated Canada to reach the Second Round.

In the Second Round the Americans won the first game of the round defeating Venezuela 4-2. In the second game the U.S. was defeated by Puerto Rico 6-5 after giving up 4 runs in the 1st inning. The U.S. then defeated the Dominican Republic to advance to the Championship Round.

In the Championship Round Semifinals on March 21, the Americans defeated Japan 2-1 to advance to their first ever appearance in the Final. In the Final on March 22, the U.S. once again faced Puerto Rico, the U.S. however, ended up winning 8-0 capturing the first ever World Baseball Classic Title for the United States. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Eric Hosmer, Christian Yelich, and Marcus Stroman were named to the 2017 All-World Baseball Classic team.^[2]

Olympic Games

Although single exhibition games had been played in conjunction with five previous Olympics, the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles was the first to feature a tournament in the program, and also the first time that the sport was played in Olympics held in the United States. Eight teams competed in the tournament held at Dodger Stadium. Cuba, after winning the gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games, was to participate, but did not as a result of the Soviet-led boycott. The U.S. national team finished second to Japan, however, no medals were given as baseball was a demonstration sport. Professional baseball players were introduced in 2000, though no active players from Major League Baseball have competed since then, and the Americans were forced to rely on minor leaguers. Cuba and some other nations used their strongest players, as they had no commitments with the MLB. The IOC cited the absence of the best players as the main reason for baseball being dropped from the Olympic program.^[3]

2000: The United States wins gold

The U.S. won its only gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

2008: Final appearance for Olympic baseball

The United States qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics by winning the American Qualifying Tournament. They won the Bronze medal at the Beijing games, finishing behind South Korea (Gold) and Cuba (Silver).

At the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting on July 8, {{Baseball year|2005}}, baseball and softball were voted out of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, becoming the first sports voted out of the Olympics since Polo was eliminated from the 1936 Summer Olympics.^[4]

Amateur World Series and Baseball World Cup

The U.S. lost the inaugural Amateur World Series in 1938. The U.S. won its first Amateur World Series in {{Baseball year|1973}}, and repeated a year later.

In {{Baseball year|1988}}, the Amateur World Series became the International Baseball Federation's (IBAF) World Cup.

Since 1938, the U.S. has won fifteen medals: four gold (1973, 1974, 2007, 2009), seven silver (1938, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1978, 1988, 2001), and four bronze (1939, 1940, 1982, 1984).

The U.S. was usually represented by college players in these tournaments, while Cuba used its best players.

2007

The U.S. was in group A of the {{Baseball year|2007}} IBAF World Cup, along with Republic of China, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Italy, Spain and South Africa. The U.S. went 6–1 to win their group, with their only loss coming on November 9, {{Baseball year|2007}} against Italy. It was the U.S.'s first loss to Italy in 21 years and the first time it ever lost to Italy with professional players, as the team consisted of minor league prospects.

This one loss, however, would be their only. The U.S. went on to beat Korea, Netherlands and Cuba to capture the gold.

2009

In Round 1 of the 2009 Baseball World Cup, the U.S. (2–1) finished second in Group E and advanced with first-place Venezuela (3–0). In Round 2, the U.S. was joined by the nine other first- and second-place teams from Round 1, four wild-card teams, and the two principal host teams (Italy and the Netherlands). The sixteen teams were divided into Groups F and G. The U.S. (7–0) defeated each of the other seven teams in Group G. In Round 3, the first four teams in Group F were renamed Group 1 and the first four teams in Group G were renamed Group 2. The U.S. finished first in Group 2 with a record of 7–0; Cuba finished first in Group 1, with a 5–2 record. In the Final Round, Group 1 and 2's fourth-place teams competed for overall seventh place; the two third-place teams competed for overall fifth place; and the two second-place teams competed for the bronze medal. In the gold-medal game, the U.S. defeated Cuba, 10–5.

Tournament awards were given to Justin Smoak (MVP) and Todd Redmond (best won/loss average (pitcher)). Smoak (first base) was also named to the tournament All-Star Team, along with Jon Weber (outfield) and Terry Tiffee (designated hitter).

Intercontinental Cup

The Intercontinental Cup is a tournament between the members of the IBAF. It was first held in {{Baseball year|1973}} in Italy, and was held every other year following until {{Baseball year|1999}}. Since, there has been a competition in {{Baseball year|2002}} & {{Baseball year|2006}}, both of which, the U.S. has chosen to sit out. The tournament has been dominated by Cuba, who has won ten gold & three silver in the 16 tournaments. Japan is second in medal ranking, with two gold, five silver & five bronze, and the U.S. is third, with two gold, four silver & two bronze. The United States use college players in this tournament, while Cuba sends its best players.

Future big leaguers have competed in the Intercontinental Cup for the U.S. including Joe Carter, Terry Francona, Mickey Morandini, John Olerud & Robin Ventura.

• 1973 : 3rd
• {{Baseball year|1975}} : 1st
• {{Baseball year|1977}} : 2nd
• {{Baseball year|1979}} : 3rd
• 1981 : 1st
• {{Baseball year|1983}} : 2nd

Pan American Games

The U.S. and Cuba have been archrivals at the Pan American Games ever since the event began in {{Baseball year|1951}}. The U.S. has finished second behind Cuba eight of the twelve times they have brought home the gold. Likewise, when the U.S. won the gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games, Cuba finished second. The U.S. roster is usually composed of promising college players, while Cuba is able to send its best players.

In total, the U.S. has won one gold medal, ten silver medals and three bronze. The only games the U.S. failed to medal in were {{Baseball year|1979}} and {{Baseball year|1995}}. For the 1995 games, the U.S. did not send their national team, but instead the St. John's University baseball team, who finished 0–4 against the international all-star teams.

• {{Baseball year|1951}} : 2nd
• {{Baseball year|1955}} : 2nd
• 1959 : 3rd
• {{Baseball year|1963}} : 2nd
• {{Baseball year|1967}} : 1st
• {{Baseball year|1971}} : 2nd

Haarlem Baseball Week

World Port Tournament

Collegiate National Team

USA Baseball also fields a Collegiate National Team which has 22 members of top collegiate baseball players in the country, consisting of five infielders, four outfielders, two catchers, nine pitchers and a pair of two-way players. The team competes in exhibition games across the U.S. and overseas against teams from across the world, including teams from Canada, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and the Netherlands.^[5] The 2009 team won the World Baseball Challenge in Canada.

Players who took the field for the Collegiate National Team and have gone onto Major League Baseball success include such notables as Jim Abbott, Kris Bryant, Troy Glaus, Todd Helton, Ryan Howard, Barry Larkin, Tino Martinez, Dustin Pedroia, David Price, Huston Street, Mark Teixeira, Troy Tulowitzki, Trea Turner, Jason Varitek, Carlos Rodon, and Ryan Zimmerman.

Other national teams

The USA won the gold medal in the first ever World Games in 1981 with a roster of college players. Franklin Stubbs, Oddibe McDowell, Spike Owen and some others would go on to play in the MLB.

USA Baseball also fields 18U, 15Uband 12U national baseball teams. Former national teams include 16U and 14U national teams. USA Baseball also hosts two national team development programs in the age divisions of 17U and 14U. The selection processes for these programs can be found on the official website of USA Baseball.

See also

• United States women's national baseball team
• USA Baseball
• USA Baseball National Training Complex
• Major League Baseball
• Puerto Rico national baseball team
• Baseball at the 1981 World Games

Notes

External links

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