Olympic qualifier: Mike Scioscia discusses managing the US National Team on WBSC Global Game podcast

Olympic qualifier: Mike Scioscia discusses managing the US National Team on WBSC Global Game podcast
13/05/2021
USA Baseball has appointed Scioscia to lead the national team to the Olympics. The new manager shared his thoughts with host Tyler Maun.

Former Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star catcher and World Series-winning manager Mike Scioscia will manage the United States National Team in the WBSC Americas Baseball Qualifier.

Scioscia shared his thoughts with host Tyler Maun in the second episode of The Global Game - a WBSC Podcast.

Scioscia said that he finds it "a privilege" to be asked to "put the USA uniform on".

The national team role takes him back to his MLB playing and managing days where the job is an everyday commitment.

"We are working to put together the best roster possible," Scioscia told the WBSC podcast.

The selection process will "first and foremost" concentrate on players' availability. Scioscia said that he is looking at veterans who started the season at the Triple-A level and young prospects. However, he also won't overlook veterans who recently retired from organized baseball.

"In the US, we have the most depth of talent in the world. It is our sport," commented the US manager.

Scioscia also praised international baseball and the opportunity that comes with competing on that stage. "When I was playing, we didn't have anything like this."

He added that for a young player competing internationally is "such a great ride."

During the interview, Scioscia also honoured the memory of his mentor, Tom Lasorda, the only manager to win an Olympic baseball gold medal for the USA.

He then talked about his appearance on the TV show The Simpsons: "My kids talk about their dad being on The Simpsons, not playing in the Major Leagues."

Scioscia said he's not ready to talk about the Olympic tournament in Tokyo: "We are going to have an opportunity in Florida to hopefully qualify, and that's going to be our intent. If we qualify, we are going to talk about Japan."

The former catcher says the key to winning is the catcher's battery mate: "In baseball if you're not pitching, you don't have a chance to win."

The WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier, which is less than 20 days away, is scheduled from 31 May to 5 June in The Palm Beaches & St. Lucie County, Florida.


World No. 2 USA will compete in Group A against No. Dominican Republic, No. 11 Puerto Rico and No. 15 Nicaragua.

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