World Series-winning manager Joe Girardi to lead USA in WBSC Premier12
USA Baseball named four-time Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series winner Joe Girardi as manager of the U.S. National Team for November’s WBSC Premier12, the main international baseball event of the year and 2020 Olympic qualifier.
DURHAM, North Carolina — USA Baseball named four-time Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series winner Joe Girardi as manager of the U.S. National Team for November’s WBSC Premier12, the main international baseball event of the year and 2020 Olympic qualifier.
Girardi was part of four World Series crowns with the New York Yankees, three as a player and one as a manager.
“It is truly an honor to be named the manager for the USA Baseball Premier12 Team,” said Girardi. “I was fortunate to wear this very special jersey as a player on the national team in 1985 and it is a privilege to be chosen to wear it once again as a manager. I look forward to leading Team USA as we strive for a gold medal and look to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi said: “Girardi’s role with the team will be a major boost to U.S. efforts to attract the best players.”
Joe Girardi will manage Team USA at the @WBSC Premier12 in November — a qualifying tournament for @Tokyo2020. Massive news for @USABaseball. Girardi’s role with the team will be a major boost to U.S. efforts to attract the best players. @MLB @MLBNetwork https://t.co/lFL5MPvELD
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 7, 2019
World No. 2 USA will begin the major global event in Group A, battling host No. 6 Mexico, No. 8 Netherlands and No. 12 Dominican Republic at Estadio de Beisbol Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara from 2-5 November. The U.S. will open against Europe’s top-ranked team, the Netherlands.
The top two from the group will advance to the Super Round, 11-16 November, which will be played in Japan at Chiba’s ZOZO Marine Stadium and the Tokyo Dome.
The top nation from the Americas in November’s global battle will qualify into the Olympic baseball tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
At the inaugural WBSC Premier12 in 2015, USA reached the Final, before falling to Asia powerhouse Korea.
USA Baseball and Girardi will reveal the full U.S. National Team coaching staff next Tuesday, 13 August.
