Mark DeRosa Biography

Mark DeRosa is a prominent American former professional baseball player who played in MLB (Major League Baseball) from 1998 to 2013. He played for the Atlanta Braves (1998–2004), Texas Rangers (2005–2006), Chicago Cubs (2007–2008), Cleveland Indians (2009), St. Louis Cardinals (2009), San Francisco Giants (2010–2011), Washington Nationals (2012), and Toronto Blue Jays (2013). Primarily he played third base and second base but he started at every position other than center field, pitcher, and catcher. Currently, he works as a studio analyst and has managed Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

In 1994 and 1995 he led the University of Pennsylvania football team to consecutive League championships as their quarterback. Also, he played baseball for the Quakers and he chose to sign when the Braves selected him in the seventh round (212th overall) of the 1996 MLB draft. In 1998, he debuted with the Braves briefly and gradually got more playing time over the next few seasons, especially after transitioning to a utility player in 2001. In 2012, he appeared in 48 games with the Nationals then hit his 100th career home runs with the Blue Jays in 2013 before retiring after the season.

Mark DeRosa Education

He received his education at Bergen Catholic High School where he earned all-state honors in baseball and football. After high school, he attended The University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Penn’s Wharton School in 1997. There, he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. At Penn, he became the starting quarterback for the Quackers in 1994 after redshirting as a freshman. He led them to an undefeated season and an Ivy League championship. Also, he led them to another Ivy League championship in 1995. In 1995, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Bourne Braves.

Mark DeRosa MLB Career

Mark DeRosa Atlanta Braves

He was drafted in the seventh round (212th overall) of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft by the Atlanta Braves. In 1996, he made his professional debut with the Eugene Emeralds of the Class A short-season Northwest League. Progressing through Atlanta’s minor league system, in 1998 he joined the Braves for the first time as a September callup. On September 2, he made his MLB debut pinch-hitting for Greg Maddux and striking out against Randy Johnson in a 4-1 loss to the Houston Astros. He had his first MLB hit on September 20, a pinch-hit single against Vladimir Nunez in a 10-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2001-2005

After starting the 2001 with Richmond, on June 1 he was recalled replacing pitcher Chris Seelbach on Atlanta’s roster. On July 21, 2001, he hit his first major league home run, a 10th-inning walk-off one against Graeme Lloyd that gave the Braves a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Expos. In 2002, he began the year as a backup player for the Braves. From May 13 through 17, he had started five games in a row at shortstop for the Braves. In the last of those, he tore a tendon sheath in his right ankle. The injury thus kept him out until July 17. Upon his return, he split time with Keith Lockhart at second base though he also saw occasional playing time at shortstop and in left field and right field.

In 2003, he had a healthy year and again played a number of positions; every infield spot as well as left field and designated hitter. After the 2003 season, when Vinny Castilla signed with the Colorado Rockies, the Braves decided to make Mark the starting baseman in 2004, despite him batting just .231 with no extra-base hits in spring training. On September 25, his season came to an end when he tore his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). In 118 games (309 at-bats), he batted .239 with 74 hits, three home runs, and 31 RBI. After the season, the Braves declined to offer him a contract for 2005 thus making him a free agent.

Mark DeRosa Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed Mark on January 19, 2005, to a contract but it was only a minor league as the Rangers had some concerns about his health. He made his Ranger debut in the 11th game of the season, playing only six games a month in April, May, and July. In 66 games (148 at-bats), he batted .243 with 36 hits and 20 RBI. In 2006 after only playing two of the Rangers’ first 11 games, from April 15 to 30 he was on the disabled list with a sprained left foot. On May 3, he hit a 12-th inning walk-off home run against John Halama, giving the Rangers a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. In 2006, he was still one of Texas’ best players even though his average fell to .296 by season’s end. After the season, he became a free agent.

Mark DeRosa Chicago Cubs

He signed a three-year $13 million contract with the Chicago Cubs on November 14, 2006. On June 3, he hit a grand slam against Lance Cormier to open the scoring in a 10-1 victory over the Braves. On August 16 and September 17 in games against the Reds, he had a career-high five hits. In a career-high 149 games, he batted .293 with 147 hits, 10 home runs, and 72 RBI. On February 23, 2008, he was hospitalized with breathing difficulties and a rapid heartbeat.

On February 28, he had a successful catheter ablation at Northwestern Memorial Hospital to correct an irregular heartbeat. He hit a two-run home against Barry Zito on June 30, and a grand slam against Billy Sander as the Cubs defeated the Giants 9-2. In 2008, he primarily played second base but he also filled in at third base, left field, and right field when the Cubs starters at those positions were hurt. For the second year in a row, the Cubs won the NL Central.

Mark DeRosa Cleveland Indians

On December 31, 2008, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, and John Gaub. Before the 2009 season, he represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic. On April 18, he had six RBI in a 22-4 victory over the Yankees. In 71 games (278 at-bats), he was batting .270 with 75 hits, 13 home runs, and 50 RBI.

Mark DeRosa St. Louis Cardinals

He was traded to the Cardinals on June 27, for relief pitchers Chris Perez and Jess Todd. He was placed on the disabled list soon after his acquisition with a left wrist sprain, an injury that kept him out from July 1 through July 17. From July 26 through 28, he hit home runs in three straight games for the second time that season. At the end of that year, he became a free agent, and he used the offseason to undergo surgery that sought to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist.

Mark DeRosa San Francisco Giants

He signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Giants on December 29, 2009. In his first 26 games, he batted only .194 with just four extra-base hits and 10 RBI. On May 11, he underwent a medical examination after experiencing numbness in the fingers of his left hand. On May 17, he was placed on the disabled list, having not played since May 8. He then underwent season-ending surgery on June 1, a procedure that again sought to repair his tendon sheath as well as release pressure on his capital tunnel. That year, the Giants went on to win the World Series, their first title since 1954. On May 18, 2011, he completely tore the injured tendon on a checked swing and went on the disabled list again. After the season, he became a free agent.

Mark DeRosa Washington Nationals

He signed a one-year contract on December 22, 2011, with the Washington Nationals. For the Nationals, he started at several positions in April 2012 but batted .081 in 13 games. He was then placed on the disabled list on April 29, with a left oblique strain, an injury that kept him inactive until June 25. Again he was on the disabled list from August 5 to September 1 with a left abdominal injury. In 48 games (85 at-bats) he batted .188 with 16 hits, no home runs, and six RBI. After the season, he became a free agent.

Mark DeRosa Toronto Blue Jays

On January 22, 2013, he signed a one-year deal worth $775,000 with the Toronto Blue Jays with a $775,000 club option for the 2014 season. In a game against the Astor on July 27, he hit his 100th career home run, a solo shot to lead off the second inning against Dallas Keuchel in an 8-6 loss. In August, he was placed on revocable waivers and claimed by an unnamed team on August 7. However, no trade occurred and he remained with Toronto. In 88 games, he hit .235 with seven home runs and 36 RBI including hitting .286 with one home run, eight RBI, and seven walks as a pinch hitter. In late October, the Blue Jays exercised their option on DeRosa but on November 12, he informed the team that he would retire after 16 years in MLB.

Mark DeRosa Post-Playing Career

After retiring, he accepted a position as a studio analyst with the MLB Network. He has been the broadcast announcer for the video game franchise MLB: The Show since replacing Harold Reynolds in MLB The Show 18 until MLB The Show 21. He was named Team USA manager for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Mark DeRosa Age

Mark was born on February 26, 1975, therefore he is 48 years old as of August 2023. He thus celebrates his birthday on February 26th of every year.

Mark DeRosa Height

He stands at a height of 6 feet 1 inch (1.85m) tall.

Mark DeRosa Family

DeRosa was born in Passaic, New Jersey to Jack (Father) and Mickey (Mother). It is not known if Mark has any siblings.

Mark DeRosa Wife

Mark is married to the love of his life, Heidi Derosa, a former model. They got married in 2002. He and his wife are blessed with one kid, a daughter named Gabriella Faith DeRosa (born prematurely on July 28, 2003, at two-and-a-half months old).

Mark DeRosa’s Net Worth

DeRosa has a net worth of $12 million which he has earned through being a former professional baseball player and studio analyst.

Mark DeRosa Salary

He earns an annual salary of $750,000.