MLB WORLD SERIES: ASTROS VS BRAVES

October 25, 2021

Yordan Alvarez

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Yordan, how different of a person is Framber from, say, two years ago?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: In what sense?

Q. Maturity-wise.

YORDAN ALVAREZ: Yeah, that's a really happy guy. I think it's difficult for you to see Framber upset at any moment. You can see him maybe going back over some of the things that he's gone through in a game, but then he lets it go and gets over it. I think that's part of what's given him the results that he has. He has the ability to forget things and move on and just be in a happy state of mind always.

Q. Just how mentally prepared they are in the postseason and the influence that Dusty has had on the team.

YORDAN ALVAREZ: Since we've gotten to the postseason, we have and had only one goal, and that's to win the World Series. I don't think our mindset has shifted off of that for the moment. We're 100 percent focused on that goal.

As far as Dusty, he's had a huge influence on us. Like I said before, he was a ballplayer. He knows what it's like to go through the daily grind of being a ballplayer and knows what it's like for all the guys in the clubhouse. He's been a really helpful influence for us.

Q. After having to sit at home and watch the Astros as they were in the playoffs last year since you were injured, what does it mean to you to be back? And not only be on the team, but be contributing in such a big role for them getting back to the World Series and have a shot to win it?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: Yeah, it was a really difficult moment. Like I've said before, it was a really tough decision for me to make the decision to get the surgery on my knees. It was something I thought about, and it wasn't an easy decision to make, but I decided it was best for me to be able to play long term the baseball in the Big Leagues.

It still didn't make it any easier on me. It's still tough being away from the team. I was in contact with the guys all the time just trying to give as much support as I could from home, but now obviously it means a lot to me to be back and do everything I can to help the team win the championship.

Q. Your batting is so hot right now, and Braves have strong lefties in their bullpen. How are you going to approach those guys?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: It's the same mentality. Just go out and try to take care of the job and do damage. Just go out and try to win every day. I think it's the same mentality. We're going to go out and try to do everything we can to win the championship.

Q. Over the last couple of years, there's been this influx of young Cuban talent here in the Big Leagues. How much pride do you take that you're part of that group? In the White Sox series, you saw some young Cuban players and you guys have a Cuban contingent. In the farm system, a lot of young Cuban players. How much pride do you take that you're kind of right there in the center of this resurgence of talent from Cuba?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: I feel really special to be a part of that group, especially just knowing that no one outside of Cuba can understand all the sacrifice that goes into it to be able to get to this point, in Cuba and on the way to get here. Just to be a part of that group and to be a part of that young talent is something that's really special and it makes me feel really proud.

Q. It seems like you have a very natural swing. Have you ever had to learn to make an adjustment to make that kind of swing or something that you've always had?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: I think it's always been that way. I'm one of those hitters that doesn't like to change a lot with my swing and my approach to the plate. If things aren't going for me well, I just keep believing in what I'm doing.

I think that's the biggest thing, the consistency and confidence I have whether things are going well or not. Just keep believing in the process of it. I think that's why people say I have a natural swing because I don't make a lot of adjustments to it.

As far as when I was a little kid, I didn't hit for a lot of power when I was young. I felt like I hit the ball really hard and it didn't ever get out. It was a lot of line drives I hit as a kid, and people have told me since I got here, I started eating well (laughter). So, yeah, I think that's why I've always had the same swing.

Q. Since he said he's been eating well since he got here, what's his favorite American dishes?

YORDAN ALVAREZ: Really I like to try a lot of different dishes. I don't have one favorite dish that I try all the time. I'm somebody who likes to switch it up a lot and try a lot of new things. So I don't have one favorite dish.