WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - CZECH REPUBLIC VS CHINA

March 10, 2023

Pavel Chadim

Tokyo Dome

Team Czechia

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Finally, you'll have the opening game of the WBC tournament. What is in your mind right now?

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, when we played in the qualifying game, that was a do-or-die situation, so compared to that situation, we have less pressure and our condition is better, way better. This is day one and we are ready to go.

Q. Usually you are the doctor as a specialist, if you have a special message from your coworkers, your friends or your patients, let me know, please.

PAVEL CHADIM: First of all, from the family and the friends, they all are cheering us. Looking back at my home country, all the media is reporting on us, what we do in Japan. And of course, our coworkers, as well.

Q. You are a specialist doctor. Are you having your own business or do you work at a hospital? And also, a lot of your players have their day job, so I was curious, I was wondering, how are you taking your of your days off? Do you have to have like a long period of days off to participate in the WBC?

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, first of all, I was working at a hospital, and it's been 20 years. And now I have my own place to work. I asked my coworkers to help me and support while I was here enjoying the WBC, so we can handle it.

Q. So you have been with the national team now for almost 30 years. Can you tell me a little bit about how you've seen this grow and what it's like to look back on your career to where you and the national team are now?

PAVEL CHADIM: I think a better answer will be after the tournament. My answer will be better after this tournament. And I am optimistic, but I see every decade, like we started like a rookie, A, and I feel us now like AA level. That's my answer. Par but I want to be a major leaguer.

Q. I have another one for you. You always have a very unique way of looking at the world, and keeping everything in perspective. Obviously this is a very big game but as you said, it's not do-or-die. Are you saying anything to the team before the game today? Are you letting the guys kind of take control of the room?

PAVEL CHADIM: A lot of ways to go to the finish. I think the managing is the reaction of the team you have. And 30 people with a testosterone is not easy, and my goal is to find a way and after today's game, I will tell you if I found it.

Q. Last night did you watch the Japan game through watching TV? And if you did, if you could name any specific player's name, tell us about them, and also the reason why.

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, Shohei Ohtani is an incredible, unbelievable player. He led Team Japan, and probably he is not going to pitch against us, and he is -- he will -- we will face Ohtani as a hitter, and also we will face Sasaki, he is probably our opponent starting pitcher.