WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - ISRAEL VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 14, 2023

Julio Rodríguez

Jean Segura

Ketel Marte

LoanDepot Park

Team Dominican Republic

Postgame Press Conference

Dominican Republic-10, Israel-0

Q. Segura, for you, in 2017 sitting right there, you said that you were available to manager Moises to play in the World Classic. Six years later you are again with the Dominican Republic. How important is it for you as a professional to represent your country in a World Classic?

JEAN SEGURA: It's always important to me to represent my country, especially in the World Classic. It's very exciting to represent your country, to be in the locker room with your teammates, all of them Dominicans. More than an honor to share lockers with stars, with Hall of Famers. Thank God. I'm very excited, very happy.

The team has played very well in the last two games, and we are representing our country here.

Q. Segura, speaking about that hit, any memories about the MLB or World Classics? Julio, you were happy when you were at second base. I don't know if you were focused after the double you hit.

JEAN SEGURA: Well, to me -- could you repeat the question, please? I forgot. Sorry.

Q. Any memories.

JEAN SEGURA: It's a very complicated situation, you know. We are All Stars in this tournament. It's very difficult to come, to sit, to see other people playing. You want to have fun as well, but you have to understand, we are All Stars, but we have a very, very good team.

The people on the bench are on the bench, but they are tremendous players. But opportunities come up, and God's plan is perfect. I had the opportunity, and I used it. This is an example and motivation for the teammates, for myself, and all the Dominicans that want to see our team play.

At the same time we have to understand that the manager put together the best lineup that he believes is able to win the game.

JULIO RODRIGUEZ: To me I'm always happy when I can help the team win. That's the kind of player I am, and that's why I was happy at second base. I was able to help the team.

Q. How did you feel today, your first performance in this Classic? That would be question number one. Number two for Jean: You were fantastic in the last AB. You got a very good pitch to hit. And, Julio, what's your expectation for tomorrow?

KETEL MARTE: I felt very well. The first and second inning I was a little nervous. I was excited, but I'm feeling very well. I'm taking advantage of the opportunities every day.

JEAN SEGURA: Well, to me it's history again, the previous Classic. I hit a single with two guys on base, another double. I have to thank God. I have to be grateful to God because it is not easy to come out off the bench and to get that kind of hit, double. I hadn't seen a pitch for one week, so it's not easy.

But this is a team supported by God. Thank God for this victory for the Dominican Republic, and that double that I hit in the eighth for the early termination of the game.

JULIO RODRIGUEZ: To me, well, expectation for tomorrow, our expectation is to come and compete. We know that they are a very good team. We are going to compete, to play our ball, and the result will be achieved. We are with God. We go out to compete and let the best team win.

Q. Jean, we know that you were anxious to go out and participating in the game. Did those nerves, that emotion help you in that kind of key moment and for the other guys, can you hear the noise on the field? Is that exciting for you to be in the United States and see the Dominican fans in the crowd in the ballpark?

JULIO RODRIGUEZ: The hero. Go, hero, go.

JEAN SEGURA: Extremely grateful. It was a great game, great match. No anxiety. The excitement to play and to participate in the World Classic is very important. Every player should have the chance or the opportunity to play. Only Nelson and myself hadn't played, and we did today, and we hit singles or a double.

And about the excitement with the fans? It's not the same when you have 12 million Dominicans supporting you. It is not the same as playing in the States with MLB and the World Series. Dominican fans let you know when you are good and when you are bad as well. So it's double pressure, but it is important to play with your fans. We love them.

Q. Ketel, what kind of adjustment did you make when you got that hit? You spoke about some restrictions by the organization. And also Segura, comparing 2017 when you participated in the Classic and today, how do you compare both Classics in terms of the teammates, the behavior, et cetera?

KETEL MARTE: I tried to be strong and ready when I don't play. I hadn't played for five, six days. In the first AB they threw breaking balls, and then in the second AB I was able to connect a hit with a fastball.

JEAN SEGURA: You are asking me too many questions (laughter). I'm running out of Spanish for your questions.

Compared to 2017 I think this one there is more talent in all aspects - better pitching, better hitting. We have two players in the top ten, Manny and Julio, the bullpen as well. We have great pitchers.

It is a very well-balanced team. It is so exciting to be part of this team. Even when you don't have the chance to play a lot, everyone wants to play everyone, wants to show to the Dominican Republic what we are made of. We have to look forward. We have to pray to God that nothing bad happens to us, that we get the victory.

We are going to have a very good Dominican team for many years to come.

Q. Any talk in the locker room with you guys about which fans are louder? And how you guys are excited to play Puerto Rico tomorrow? Any talk in the locker room? For Jean, what do you think the environment is going to be like when you start putting on a Marlins uniform and you are playing here regularly? Is this the expectation for the crowd that you are expecting to have when you play here?

JEAN SEGURA: Well, I'm telling you right now my mentality is to win a baseball game. I don't know if the crowd is going to be the same. My job is to go out there and compete, play the game the right way, respect my teammates, and win some baseball games.

It doesn't really matter to me how the crowd is going to be in the regular season compared to here. I don't think any crowd in the world is the same as Dominicans, because with Dominicans, you fail and you are struggling, they let you know it's time to go.

For me I just really want to play the game the right way, respect my teammates, and continue growing up. So this game, you never stop growing up and learning. So for me just that's my mentality.

JULIO RODRIGUEZ: For me I think that both teams have a really good crowd. Both teams are loud. We're both from the Caribbean, and we love playing baseball.

I think it's going to be an exciting game. I think it's going to be an exciting game, and both teams are going to go out there and give a show for their fans. So I'm excited. I'm excited to play tomorrow.

Q. Julio, Rookie of The Year, Olympic medalist, World Classic. What do you think as a young player about so many things happening at the same time in a short career?

JULIO RODRIGUEZ: It's a beautiful experience to be able to share with players, such as Segura, Machado, Soto, and the others. It's been a great experience. Any baseball player would be very happy to represent his country and to get victories in this sport.

I'm very happy because I prepared myself, and thanks to that preparation, I'm here to be ready for this opportunity.