WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC VS VENEZUELA

March 11, 2023

Manny Machado

LoanDepot Park

Team Dominican Republic

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Manny, how is the chemistry, the energy inside of the clubhouse? So many superstars together. Are you feeling under pressure when you remember 2013, with the Dominican Republic having now a superior team than that from 2013?

MANNY MACHADO: We don't think about that. We are just focused on winning the game today. That's our goal. We have to play one game at a time, and we don't have to think about tomorrow today. We are playing Venezuela. It's going to be tough, but we as a team are united. We are representing our flag. We are playing for ourselves as well, and we have to go out to play our game. Today is today. Tomorrow is tomorrow.

Q. Manny, considering that Miami is also your city, especially Hialeah, how many family members and friends will you have today in the ballpark?

MANNY MACHADO: It's always special to wear this uniform. We have a whole country supporting us. They are watching us. They are supporting us, and I live here in Miami with my people, with my family. It's a very special day today for me and my family and for our whole country.

Q. I asked this question to Nelson Cruz, but I wanted to ask it to you. We beat Venezuela in the Caribbean Series. Venezuela is wants to win, but they haven't beat us yet in a Classic. How confident is the team in that regard?

MANNY MACHADO: We're focused on our game, you know? We know the team that we have. They have a great team as well, and in the World Classic any team could win. We are playing baseball. You have to go out to get 27 outs, try to score more runs than the other team. Venezuela is a great team, but we are focused on our game, representing our uniform, our flag, and playing as a team.

If we execute, we are going to have a very good result, but we have to start in the clubhouse and with the guys there.

Q. If you had to choose between winning the World Classic or the World Series this year, what would you choose?

MANNY MACHADO: Both (laughing).

Q. Come on, choose one.

MANNY MACHADO: No, I want both. I want both. I choose both. They are both special. We are playing this game as children, you know? This is very special for us. We want to win the World Classic for your country. This is something unique. And, also, playing for the city you play in, it's very special as well. So I chose both.

Q. Today is finally the day the whole country is expecting the debut of the Dominican Republic. Thousands of Dominicans came to Miami. They are here. They made a lot of effort to come. The country will be watching you. What are you going to tell to the Dominican fans?

MANNY MACHADO: Continue supporting us. When we wear this jersey, it's very special for us. We are playing for the country, for everyone that supports us. Year after year they support us, and we play for them. Today is for the Dominican Republic.

Q. Manny, was it difficult for you to join the Dominican team?

MANNY MACHADO: No. I've been playing since I was a little boy. There were other players, veterans in the previous World Classic. They are no longer on the team. This year I am playing with many guys. I have five on my team: García, Soto, Tatis. We are together. We are a family.

Q. Manny, it is your second experience in a World Classic. You spoke about the teammates, et cetera. How different is it the experience in 2017 and today, an older, more experienced player. Maybe now you're an inspiration and motivation for other younger players. Can you tell me about that difference?

MANNY MACHADO: Well, this is my second time on the World Classic. Thank God for that. Many of the young guys on the team haven't had this experience before, but a classic is something absolutely different. When you wear this jersey, it's something unique. I don't know how to describe this, how it feels, but everyone in the clubhouse, they look at us, Canó. We are here for them.

We want to win, but first of all, the key message is the same. We are going to play with the heart for our flag and for ourselves. When we wear this jersey, we know that we are representing a whole country, an entire country.

Q. A follow-up question: Do you have extra motivation from the result of the previous Classic? You were there and had that experience.

MANNY MACHADO: Yes, we didn't make it in the previous Classic, but we have a different team today. We're more united, and we want to win. We know the players we have in the clubhouse and what we can do as a team, so we just have to go out and do our job.

Q. Over 10 million Dominicans will be watching this game, and the ballpark will have many, many fans. Among them the president of the Dominican Republic. What can you tell us about that, that the Chief of Staff will be present tonight? It's important.

MANNY MACHADO: We are an entire country. When we wear this jersey, we are one. The president being here indicates that we as a country will be united, and we are going to do something special.