WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - CHINA VS JAPAN

March 8, 2023

Dean Treanor

Tokyo Dome

Team China

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. (What made you decide to be manager of Team China in this edition of the World Baseball Classic)?

DEAN TREANOR: That's a very good question and I've been asked that question several times about why I'm here. And it is a challenge, but I was just intrigued by the chance and the opportunity to help grow the baseball culture in China. I think we are getting a lot of interest now, especially with us being in the WBC. I know there's a lot of things on media and social media.

So I think that's great for us and it's great for Team China and our baseball culture. We are trying to grow a culture, and I think the players have embraced it. They have embraced me and I've said this before, and you know, people look at me like I'm crazy but this team has made me feel Chinese, and I believe I'm Chinese right now, being part of team China. Where we can go in the future. I think the future is endless for us.

You know, with the population of China, I know that there's a lot of players out there that just have not been exposed to the game. And we want to draw more kids into the game and really build a foundation for the future of baseball in China.

I feel very strongly about that; that there is a lot of interest and a lot of anticipation about how baseball is going to grow, and I think this is a great place to start by having our exposure in the WBC. I think you're going to look at us, and you know, we've got some athletes on this team and we can play. You know, so this is going to be a great start for us.