WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - VENEZUELA VS ISRAEL

March 15, 2023

Ian Kinsler

LoanDepot Park

Team Israel

Postgame Press Conference

Venezuela - 5, Israel - 1

Q. How do you think the team performed compared to your expectations coming into the tournament?

IAN KINSLER: You know, we competed, we had a good time. That first game was obviously a good way to start the tournament. Then there it was pretty tough for us. But we played hard as long as we could.

The tournament's over for us. So hopefully we'll be looking forward to the next one.

Q. What do you think you've learned as a manager throughout this tournament?

IAN KINSLER: I've learned a lot. It's the first time I've done it, so there was a lot to learn. Brad helped me out with that. Brad Ausmus helped me out with that. So it's been productive as far as experience and learning what it's like to manage. So it's been good.

Q. Do you have any specific things that you think you'll do differently for the next WBC?

IAN KINSLER: I'm going to be here?

Q. I probably should've asked you that question first.

IAN KINSLER: I have no idea. We'll see when that comes.

Q. Would you like to manage in MLB after this experience? Is that a goal for you?

IAN KINSLER: We'll see what happens in the future. Right now my number one priority is my family and after that we'll see. Right now I'm working for the Texas Rangers. So that's my job. We'll see where that leads.

Q. After two tough games the last two days how did it feel to get nine guys on base today, some offense?

IAN KINSLER: Yeah it was nice to have a little action out there. Scored one run. Get a guy across the plate. So it was good. The guys really battled today and put up some tough at-bats. So it was a lot more exciting for us.

Q. What was your highlight of the WBC?

IAN KINSLER: Jacob Steinmetz.

Q. Why?

IAN KINSLER: He threw the ball well. He threw well for a young player, an inexperienced player, to come into this environment and control his emotions, control himself and fill up the strike zone was pretty impressive.

Q. What happens next for all the guys? When do people start to ship out and head back to spring training and scatter?

IAN KINSLER: I don't know. I'm not aware of everybody's schedule.

Q. Are you going back to Texas to join up with the Rangers?

IAN KINSLER: Yeah, I'll go out to Spring training in Arizona.

Q. There were a few positives today. The first inning, three runs, but then afterwards you held them only to two runs. How do you feel about your pitching staff?

IAN KINSLER: They threw the ball well today. I think Bubby obviously was another highlight for us. A hard thrower that's had problems in the past kind of commanding the strike zone, and this tournament in his two appearances he did a great job.

Richard Bleier in his two appearances. Zack Weiss in his two appearances, these guys really performed up to expectations and it was good to see.

Q. Do you know something about the agreement between the government of Dominican Republic and Israel yesterday about baseball? What do you think about that?

IAN KINSLER: I think it's great. I addressed it yesterday. There was a couple questions about it. Obviously any time as a baseball organization in a country like Israel where baseball is not the most popular, to be friends and in touch with the Dominican as far as baseball is concerned, it's big. That's top of the list as far as baseball is concerned, the Dominican Republic.

So helping our young players, hosting them in the Dominican at some of the camps there, the organizational camps there and vice versa, hosting the Dominican players in Israel, it's been a great relationship so far.

THE MODERATOR: All right, thank you for your time.