TEMPE, Arizona — Andy Pettitte was set to be Team USA’s hurling coach for the 2020 Summer Olympics, working alongside his former Yankees teammate Scott Brosius, who was set to be the manager.
After which the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world. The Summer Games have been postponed to the next yr. But in the course of the break, Pettitte lost each his in-laws to complications from the virus and felt unable to depart his wife for six weeks to work on the Olympics at such a tragic time.
Despite this, he left USA Baseball CEO Paul Seiler with these words: “Do not forget me.”
Pettitte has not been forgotten.
When Team USA gathered for the primary practice in preparation for the World Baseball Classic, which the Americans begin Saturday night with Great Britain, Pettitte was there. He wasn’t wearing the familiar number 46. This belongs to Team USA first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Still, even wearing number 13, Pettitte, at age 50, looked and gave the impression of the exuberant me, excited to be the pitching coach for this tournament.
“I’ve at all times desired to wear Team USA kit,” said Pettitte on the Papago Sports Complex.
The Americans are the massive favorites to win Group C, which also includes Great Britain, Canada, Colombia and Mexico. In MLB’s dream scenario, the US, Dominican Republic, Japan and South Korea would advance to the semi-finals on March 19-20 in Miami before the finals on March 21.
“I actually need to win this,” said Pettitte, a five-time World Series champion with the Yankees.
![Throwing Coach Andy Pettitte No. 13 and Team USA Pitcher No. 21 Kyle Freeland talk during practice](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/NYPICHPDPICT000007847417.jpg?w=1024)
Pettitte retired after the 2013 season. For the past eight years, he has been the throwing coach at Houston Second Baptist High School. His youngest child, Luke, is a senior who shoots (right-handed), plays corner infield and has committed to two-way at Dallas Baptist University.
Even with an empty slot in front of him, Pettitte said he had no ambition to grow to be the league’s head pitching coach. Nevertheless, he pounced on his current position. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa chosen two coaches, his buddies Brian McCann and Michael Young, whom he said would “take a bullet for him”. For the opposite positions, he followed the recommendations. In August, Pettitte was enlisted alongside Dave Righetti, the Giants’ hurling coach for eight seasons and three championships, serving because the bullpen coach.
DeRosa called Pettitte an “absolute beast” for the way he persistently and thoroughly maintained contact with managers and pitching coaches from MLB teams to plan how those that would pitch for Team USA may very well be conveniently used. The rise in pitchers and injuries in March is the most important concern for MLB clubs in reference to this tournament.
“We would like everyone to be comfortable with what we will do and we will deal with these guys,” said Pettitte. “We’ll make decisions within the dugout but we’ll deal with these guys and do what the teams want us to do with their players.”
Then Pettitte – the all-time leader in post-season starts (44), wins (19) and innings (257 sq/₃) – laughed slightly and added, “And after all we will attempt to win it.”
Star power among the many American positional group will leave DeRosa faced with all varieties of tough decisions, corresponding to: will Pete Alonso or Goldschmidt play first base? And if you happen to say, only one DH, then what about Kyle Schwarber? And if you happen to say just play with Schwarber on the sphere, which two sit amongst Mookie Betts, Cedric Mullins, Mike Trout and Kyle Tucker?
“I will do every thing in my power to be sure everyone has time to play their shots and rounds within the pool game,” said DeRosa. “After which, if we get to Miami [for the single-elimination, which begins with the quarterfinals]one of the best players will play [nine innings]”.
It’s going to still be difficult to find out who belongs to this group. Well, apart from one player who stands out specifically. That may be Kyle Higashioka – the club’s only non-star back-up pick.
The 2 important catchers are stars JT Realmuto and Will Smith. Higashioka will likely be used to finish the sport if there are explosions within the pool game. DeRosa said he selected Higashioka partly because he’s a player who understands the responsibility of the third catcher in such a lineup.
“I do know my role here. JT and Will are the 2 best catchers in all the game of baseball,” said Higashioka. “I do know they are going to do many of the work, if not all of it. As for me, I’m really completely happy to be here and play a supporting role anyway. I’m just willing to do whatever it takes to hopefully bring home a trophy.
![Former New York Yankees and Houston Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte throws a ceremonial first pitch ahead of Game Three of the American League Championship Series.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/andy-pettitte-team-usa-wbc.jpg?w=1024)
Jeff McNeil is the one clean second baseman on the Team USA roster, so DeRosa said Betts would get time in that position.
Betts began his minor league profession as a second baseman before becoming arguably one of the best defensive right back in the game. He played 30 games in second place within the majors and told his Dodgers bosses that he could be willing to play often in the event that they wanted Aaron Judge to play as a free agent last season within the offseason. There are plans for Betts to play second base this season for the Dodgers.
Adam Wainwright of The Cardinals will start the opening for Team USA.
The WBC hasn’t been played since 2017 because of COVID, so the Americans are the defending champions. When he was appointed manager, DeRosa said his first call was to the club’s 2017 manager Jim Leyland. And one of the best advice he got?
“He said, ‘Look, don’t write this script, plan it,'” DeRosa said. “Because if it’s going sideways, you don’t need to be not knowing where to go. So that is what I attempted to do. In an ideal world. I know the way every pool game goes, but I understand it won’t.”
The Dominican Republic, which has a squad that may very well be higher than Team USA, and 1-2 against Sandy Alcantara and Cristian Javier, are the betting favorites to win the tournament.
“These guys know we weren’t picked last, and I feel that motivates them,” DeRosa said.