NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: BRAVES VS DODGERS

October 19, 2021

Guillermo Heredia

Dodger Stadium

Atlanta Braves

Pregame 3 Press Conference

Q. Why do you think you were able to find such instant comfort and just able to be yourself with this club? I mean, it seemed like it happened almost immediately.

GUILLERMO HEREDIA: Honestly, it was easy. Right away in spring training I felt extremely comfortable with the team, a lot of Latin guys on the team and a lot of the American guys as well. I feel like we all got along really well.

And a lot of guys in this club that I had either faced or was teammates with, so just a lot of good guys on the team.

Q. Most importantly, the origin of the swords and what is the significance?

GUILLERMO HEREDIA: It was just something I found on social media. I saw some guy basically having similar swords and doing a similar thing.

But as far as how we apply it to the team, I just figured it could be a source of good motivation for the guys. I think you always need some type of celebration and something to just kind of keep the morale up and keep the motivation going, so I figured I would just take these out to the dugout.

Q. Just as a follow-up, did you see the replay when you almost knocked down Max Fried when he had his walk-off hit? What did you think of that?

GUILLERMO HEREDIA: Yeah, obviously after I saw the video, I felt a little bad. I wouldn't want to do anything to jeopardize any of the guys on the team or any decision that would go our way.

So needless to say, after I saw that video, I feel like I've taken, I've been a little more responsible as far as waiting a bit before I charge out there in case I do anything that would overturn any positive outcome for our team or for the guys, any players.

Q. Knowing that the Dodgers are a resilient group, how important is it for you to win today?

GUILLERMO HEREDIA: Extremely important. It's everything. Today means everything because you take one day at a time so today's the only game that matters in this moment, so it's the most important game that we're playing.

But with that said, in the bigger picture, obviously if we won today you have that 3-0 advantage and it speaks for itself and sort of the impact that it can have on a series.

Q. So who was it, can you tell us who it was you saw on Instagram that was using these swords, and then did you just go to the store and buy them, did you order them online, and what was the first reaction from some of your teammates when the swords showed up in the dugout?

GUILLERMO HEREDIA: Yeah, it was something comical, to be honest. It was a guy that I had been following for a long time on Instagram and he kind of started doing the sword thing, so after awhile I just decided to implement that into my routine as well.

I'm not going to lie, for awhile I went to a lot of stores and a lot of places and I couldn't find the swords anywhere, so a big shout-out to our clubhouse manager, Calvin, who went online, found me the swords, ordered them, and I was able to get them.

The first day I took them out to the field I got a lot of, obviously a lot of guys were laughing and everyone was sort of asking, What's with the swords? And I just told them, Hey, this is part of our celebration now, so kind of get used to it.

But for me more it's just a way to continue to participate and contribute to the team. Just because I'm not playing, I'm not physically out there on the field, I find this is way to just kind of just show the team support within my role.

Q. Going off of that question about how it was so easy for you to become a good part of this team and get adjusted to this team, why is this team different? It seems like you guys really do have a good thing going.

GUILLERMO HEREDIA: Yeah, I think it was just an impressive experience all together for me. When I got called up to Atlanta I just remember thinking that it just felt like a very impressive atmosphere and an impressive experience the way it worked out.

I think the reason that the harmony works so well is largely due to my personality. I feel like I bring a lot of energy to the club. I'm not afraid of changes, I'm not afraid to adapt. I'm not afraid to make anything, adapt in that way. And the whole experience for me I think is one of the more enjoyable and pleasant experiences I've had in my big league career, especially playing here in the United States. Just the way that everything transpired and being called up to the club and being a member of this organization and seeing how things are done, it really was one of the more memorable experiences I've had in my career here in the U.S.

Q. What are your impressions of Charlie Morton, and is he the same guy now that you knew before, that you've seen before, how big has he been for this team?

GUILLERMO HEREDIA: He's a tremendous pitcher, tremendous teammate, tremendous human like I said earlier and I knew this going back just from the days where I had to face against him when I was with Seattle and Houston and everything. And I just knew that he was a top-quality pitcher, top-quality leader, and as far as his personality goes, Charlie hasn't changed one bit since I met him and since we were teammates in Tampa.

His leadership is just top-notch and he's one of those guys where, he's one of the big guys, the top leaders in the clubhouse, but I think his status as a leader and as one of the top guys doesn't affect the way he interacts with other people and how he treats people. I think he always shows support and interacts and really encourages every member of the team and I think that quality speaks for itself. Charlie's a better person than he is a baseball player and I think that's really saying something.