WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - GREAT BRITAIN VS MEXICO

March 14, 2023

Alexis Wilson

Taijuan Walker

Chase Field

Team Mexico

Postgame Press Conference

Mexico - 2, Great Britain - 1

Q. I think the most important thing is the last two games, USA and now, today. But tomorrow's more important than anything else. Tomorrow you play pretty much your life to be alive in this World Baseball Classic.

TAIJUAN WALKER: Every game is like that. We had to take care of business to get to tomorrow. That's what we did today. It was a great game by both teams and we came out on top and tomorrow will be a big one for us.

Q. (Off microphone)?

TAIJUAN WALKER: It's been good. It's been electric and the atmosphere has been amazing. And tonight was just really fun. I had a great time out there. For me to go out there and give my team a chance to win, obviously that's my job and my goal. And now tomorrow is going to be a big one for us.

Q. Alexis, you were the bullpen catcher and got on the roster when Kirk withdrew from the WBC. What does it mean to you to have a night like this where you come out and have both RBIs and the game-winning RBI in must-win situation, given that you were supposed to be the bullpen catcher anyway?

ALEXIS WILSON: I'm happy to have the opportunities. I was getting ready for any situation that could arrive. And I'm very happy for the opportunity and for this game that, thank God, we came out with the victory. And we have a lot of trust to come tomorrow to win with the same attitude, same intensity to win.

Q. Have you ever struck out eight in four innings? How does it rank in terms of how you felt?

TAIJUAN WALKER: I'm not sure if I have or not. I felt really good today. It being Spring Training kind of still, but the atmosphere brings the best out of everyone right now, almost like playoff games, do or die. And I really wanted to go out there and represent and make sure I gave the team the best chance to win.

Q. Tai, have you worked with Alexis before? And how did he look behind the plate, what was your rapport like?

TAIJUAN WALKER: I pitched against the Rockies and he was behind the plate there. And we were on the same page tonight.

We had a game plan. We looked over the scouting report a little bit. But whatever he put down we threw and it was working. We figured going fastball ups and splitters down was the game plan. And we just stuck to it, and it worked out for us today.

Q. How is it to work with Alexis, one of the best catchers in Mexico, and tonight was a historic for you. You are the Mexican with more strikeouts in a game. And, Alexis, how was it to work with Walker?

TAIJUAN WALKER: It was great. We were on the same page all night. Whatever he put down we went with. And just the trust between pitcher and catcher is huge. And tonight whatever the game plan was, it worked out for us. And I'm excited to keep working with him.

ALEXIS WILSON: Working with a pitcher like Walker, it makes it easy. It makes the job easy. This type of pitching that he has, it's very marvelous. And we tried to know each other, to his plan, the way he works.

And with the help, with the report that -- from the other team, we were able to come along and we won, thank God. And a big night for the boys and Walker.

Q. Alexis, how do you place this win in your career? And also can you talk about the trust that Benji has in you?

ALEXIS WILSON: It's been one of the best nights in my career. We've been working strong for this moment for this opportunity that I've been given. And also the trust from Benji, and I've always had it since I had it in winter.

It was very important for me since I'm playing with that trust it has a lot of benefit for us. And just workday today and try to fit with the other boys.

Q. You had an opportunity to play baseball here in the States. Now a lot of eyes are going to be looking at you because of the game that you had and also the swings, the two home runs you had. I bet you still have that dream that you'll make it to the big leagues one day?

ALEXIS WILSON: Yes, that is a dream we've always had. And after I had my season with the Cardinals I have never lost the faith to return. I have been working to have moments like this and return to baseball in the United States. Wherever I play I try to do my best and give 100 percent.

Q. Alexis, you said (inaudible) you were a fan. A TV watcher of the Classic, you would see your idols play in this tournament. Now you're part of history, playing, no longer watching but playing?

ALEXIS WILSON: Yes, like I was telling you, those moments I was always a watcher of all the stars that would come here and play the Classic. And now to have them as coaches that they were stars back then, and also be in the field with so many players that are active, you always want to give the extra to give everything in the field.

And now that I'm here on this side and in this game it was a great night for me and for my family. I am very grateful with God for this game.

Q. Can you talk about your second at-bat? The pitching was very complicated. You had a good swing. What were you waiting for and what was the pitch that you hit?

ALEXIS WILSON: I was focusing in my zone, I was trying to look for my zone. He had very good speed and also a very good change.

I was looking for -- I was just looking for something in my zone. We were able to have a good pitch. And good thing I had that swing. And every pitch was very focused, I was just focusing on the context to bring that home.

Q. Taijuan, maybe you were scheduled for the final in the tournament. Already it's in your mind at this moment?

TAIJUAN WALKER: Yes, I think my pitch limit will be up 75, 80 pitches, hopefully it's five or six innings and I can keep going out there and go deeper in the games and give the team a chance to win. And hopefully we can win it all.

Q. He mentions the trust that Benji has in him. We who follow Mexican baseball knows what he's talking about, if Mexico doesn't win tomorrow this is just a great experience, everybody goes back home or back to Spring Training for you. What have you seen, bring that outside, let's think positive, what have you seen from Benji? He's a very polarizing figure in Mexican baseball. He was a Big Leaguer. What have you seen in him as a manager and the potential of him being a manager in the Big Leagues perhaps soon?

TAIJUAN WALKER: I think the biggest thing is he's bringing the whole team together. Everyone comes from different organizations and different places, different countries. And I think the biggest thing is him bringing us all together as a team on such short notice.

We're all playing for each other, we're all playing as one. And just the atmosphere in the clubhouse, the leadership he's bringing to us in the clubhouse is huge. And for a manager to do that, again, on such short notice -- I think we've been here eight, nine days already -- and for us to come together as a team and really fight for each other, obviously our manager it's huge for us.

And he's been the leader for us and we're just here to follow him. And, again, hopefully we can win it all with him.