AL DIVISION SERIES: GUARDIANS VS YANKEES

October 16, 2022

Harrison Bader

Progressive Field

New York Yankees

Postgame 4 Press Conference

Yankees - 4, Guardians - 2

Q. Harrison, now three home runs this post season and in this series. What do you think has clicked for you at the plate and allowed you to have success?

HARRISON BADER: Just remaining present, staying with my teammates. You know, Gerrit said it really, really well in the dugout. You just play each out, you play each at-bat as just a singular event, and you just go from there and keep repeating it until the game is over.

Because, you know, a lot of things can change. Just remaining present, trying to put a good swing on the ball. Trying to put the ball in play for my team.

Q. Since you came off the IL, you have been an impact player, how have you done that seamlessly in such a limited amount of time?

HARRISON BADER: That was always the goal. Just getting myself to a place where I was physically and mentally ready to go out there and compete and be a winning player for my team.

You know, not forcing myself to rely on one aspect of my game to do it, just getting to a point where I was getting in a good routine physically to come out, and just be totally reactionary and go out there and play some ball.

And again, I really do attribute that a lot to the staff behind the scenes, both medical staff and the strength and conditioning staff. You know, all those days when the team was doing their thing on the road and we were just in Yankee Stadium, you know, those early mornings were all for a reason.

Yeah. It is a team effort. I'm just happy that we're, you know, delivering in a positive way.

Q. Now that you guys have won an elimination game on the road, you go back home, you feel like you guys are in the driver seat in Yankees stadium there for Game 5?

HARRISON BADER: You know, with the staff, defensively, offensively, you know, if there is a game being played, we feel like we're in the driver's seat. That's how we remain dangerous. I don't think we want it any other way to return back to the Bronx. So, yeah. We're just excited about the energy we got moving forward, and tomorrow is a new day. We'll go out there and play our best baseball. That's all there is to it.

Q. Two things, one just a clarification of what you said. When in the dugout did Cole say that, beginning of the game, a certain inning, anything?

HARRISON BADER: It was towards the end of the game.

Q. Okay. And then he also mentioned when he was in here just now that you got the belt, the best player in the game. What's it mean to you to be embraced so much and so quickly by this game?

HARRISON BADER: It means a lot. I have said it multiple times. A lot of things can happen when you get traded. Just being totally honest, there are a lot of organizations that are not like the New York Yankees. What I mean by that, just the standard that the players hold themselves to day in and day out, the staff that's surrounded by the players, it is just such a winning culture, winning mentality.

The fans, the level of expectation they have is high and I wouldn't want it any other way. Won't talk for anybody in the clubhouse, but I'm sure they wouldn't want it any other way either. So to be plunged in a clubhouse like that, I'm grateful and fortunate for the opportunity. And every day I wake up, it feels good to be a Yankee, and I carry that in the field, carry that in my preparation. I'm happy that we're playing winning baseball and we had a chance to play more winning baseball tomorrow.

So these guys are awesome. They have been since day one. That's also no surprise to me knowing the names that we have in there prior to obviously knowing I was getting traded. I was excited. Yeah. Just it's been a lot of fun.

Q. Harrison, when you hit three home runs in four games, is there any part of you that feels like that's part of your swing or just trying to hit the ball hard? When you hit a home run, are you meaning to or you just really hit the ball well?

HARRISON BADER: I like to think I have it in my swing. (Laughter.)

No. I mean, you don't try to do anything. The only thing you really try to do is game plan properly. Once the game starts, any time you try to force an action, you know, I found it doesn't really work well. For me, you get fast, you get sped up. And in a game where there is a lot of emotion behind every pitch, the only way to do it in my opinion is to slow it down. You know, the game slows down, it's a lot easier to execute your approach and what you're trying to do.

I know that -- I don't focus on those numbers. I just -- the next opportunity you got a chance to go up there and swing the bat, you just look to do damage in the zone you're looking for. Tomorrow is a new day with a new pitcher and a new arm, we'll game plan accordingly.

Q. Just given your childhood loyalty, how does the dream of hitting October home runs for the Yankees match up with the reality of actually doing it?

HARRISON BADER: I think they're both -- yeah. I mean, you definitely visualize it, you have a dream about it. But, you know, again, I mean, yes, I was obviously a Yankees fan growing up. My dream has always been to play major league baseball.

You know, I focus solely on the things I can control day in and day out. One of those things that is not in my control is how I'm moved as a piece especially at this level. I just view, you know, being traded here very serendipitously, and I just look to take, you know, advantage of it every single day.

It's definitely sweet, but, you know, again I'm here to play ball. I'm here to win. But to be able to do it in a Yankees uniform is definitely sweet, no doubt about it. That wouldn't change regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the uniform.

Q. Seven strong for Gerrit, what's that saying to you about how he throws the ball, sets the tone? What impressed you about Wandy not only tonight but the way he's had to be used in that bullpen?

HARRISON BADER: Wandy relying heavily on him, no doubt. You know, his ability to just mess with rhythm and the different pitches, that's tough, no doubt.

So you know he's been nails. That's all there is to it. And Gerrit again, just going out there like you said, setting the tone, that's a really important job of the starting pitcher to do. You can do it pace, you can do it with how effectively you attack the hitters in the strike zone, and he did both of those incredibly well. You know, he makes our job on offense and on defense a lot easier when he does that.

So to work behind that's awesome. That's why he got the ball again in the series and that's why he's doing what he's doing. It is just great to play with him.

Q. With Taillon getting the ball tomorrow, you're familiar with him as well. What gives you confidence that he's up to the challenge?

HARRISON BADER: I wouldn't want it any other way. It is a must-win game. If there is ever anyone you want to give the ball to...

You know, I have complete confidence in what he does and there's a reason why he's in that position. And again, I just keep it really simple. I'm looking forward to playing some baseball tomorrow in front of a home crowd because, you know, there is no doubt there was some energy in that stadium today. To come out of here, you know, with one game is awesome, but to return home so they can feel our energy and our fans, I'm looking forward to it.

It's going to be a great day. I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and get to it.