AL WILD CARD SERIES: RAYS VS GUARDIANS

October 8, 2022

Oscar González

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Postgame Press Conference

Cleveland Guardians - 1, Tampa Bay Rays - 0

THE MODERATOR: Take questions for Oscar.

Q. What kind of pitch were you looking for and tell us about that moment?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: There's no way to describe it. It was such an exciting moment that it's hard for me to put into words.

But during the at-bat, I was looking for a breaking pitch. I know myself and I know I can't react to the fastball, so I was just trying to get myself in a better position for the breaking pitch.

Q. What was it like playing in such a long game? I guess it's probably the longest game you've ever played in, and it was a cold day out there. What was that like standing out there, in right field especially? You didn't get a lot of action.

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: I don't mind the conditions out there or how many innings. I try to play every inning like the first one, and I always focus on giving the best effort to my team.

So I felt like it was a good opportunity just to give my best every single inning.

Q. Has it sunk in yet what you just did?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: Yeah. I feel in a way the way how the fans reacted is a wake-up call to see where we are, what we're doing, and most importantly, where we're going to go.

Q. When you were running around the bases, to see your teammates all waiting there at home plate, what was that like?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: It's just very special. I mean, seeing them, especially a lot of guys that I've seen my whole life and I've been playing alongside them, so it's kind of like very special to get to that point where seeing them, it's just very special.

Q. Is this the kind of moment you dream about when you're a little kid?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: Yes. Yes, definitely. These are the things that I've been dreaming since I was a kid. You know, playing in the major leagues and winning championships. So this is what I always wanted to do.

Q. Did you know instantly it was a home run?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: Yeah, right away I knew it was a good connection, and also the angle that the ball was going, I knew it was going to be a home run.

Q. You started your season in the minors and now, played a big role, and now you've done this. How does this feel to make this sort of progress like this?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: This is really very exciting, but also very special because I know the talent that I have and knowing that I just focused on working hard the way like I've done and I want to continue working hard to keep enjoying these type of moments.

Q. When you're up in extra innings in a tie game, is it kind of natural to just try to hit a home run? Do you have to kind of fight that? What's that like?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: I think you can never have that mindset, you know, looking for a homer. It just doesn't help. I think for me it's always trying to get a good connection, try to get the barrel on the ball, and try to help the team in any way, so that was my focus in this particular at-bat. Knowing the pitch that I was going to get and I tried to make a good connection.

Q. What was going through your mind with the José play and Naylor there in the 12th, the big stretch by Naylor and the great throw by José?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: It was like great timing, but I was confident that it was going to be a play because I know and I'm aware of the talent that José Ramírez has and I admire the way how he plays and the way how he behaves himself on the field.

So for me it was a close play, but I was confident that they were able to turn it.

Q. You did have two of the team's five hits, but when you saw that go up, you heard the collective noise from the audience, was there some relief that you felt, like a weight off your shoulders, like, finally, when you saw it heading over the fence?

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: Yes. Yes, it was very emotional. I wouldn't call it relief. I was just kind of like excited to get all the things happen. My first reaction was seeing some of the fans getting up, but also seeing Sandy on first base reacting, and before the at-bat, I just said a little prayer and asked God to let me do something good for my team, and more than relief, it's more the satisfaction to be able to do that for the team.

Q. How did you lose your, screw up your belt --

OSCAR GONZÁLEZ: I think like the hole just broke when I slid head first.