WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL C - UNITED STATES VS COLOMBIA

March 15, 2023

Mike Trout

Mookie Betts

Chase Field

Team United States

Postgame Press Conference

USA - 3, Colombia - 2

Q. Seemed like the last two games, things were really clicking for you guys. What changed and what's kind of led to this streak for both of you these last two games?

MIKE TROUT: We've been grinding. We've been grinding. Sometimes early in camp you don't have your timing. And then you put the work in in the cages and during BP just to try to find it. And that's what we've been doing. And the timing's been good the last couple of games.

MOOKIE BETTS: Just to say that, we're just in the cage grinding, talking. And it's part of it, like he said, it's early in spring, and these games are meaningful and we want to make an impact. We grind together.

Q. We've heard from pretty much every team in this pool how much it was like a playoff atmosphere here. Having been on that stage a little bit, do you feel this is your chance to show up in a playoff atmosphere-type environment and showcase your skills?

MIKE TROUT: People are saying that. I knew signing up the atmosphere would be electric. That was one of the reasons I wanted to do it. So couple years back when just how electric them games were. And I just wanted to be a part of it.

And it's definitely the last few nights it's been fun baseball for me. It's fun to go out there and play with the guys and have the crowd behind you like that, chanting "USA" in the ninth. When you run out of the dugout it's special.

Q. Mookie, obviously you've competed against Mike for a while now. What have you learned about him now that he's your teammate?

MIKE TROUT: Putting you on the spot here.

MOOKIE BETTS: I know.

I think the main thing is he's a normal dude. Obviously we all know the baseball side of it, but just getting in the clubhouse and just simple things like going to eat together, going to hit together, take defense together. You get to know someone.

And now don't even really pay attention to the baseball thing. I just look at him as my boy and I'm just out there playing with my boy and he just happens to be Mike Trout.

Q. With that, how much have you guys enjoyed hitting a 1-2, Mookie in front of Mike; Mike behind Mookie?

MIKE TROUT: It's great. We talked about it before this thing even started. If I was hitting third and he was hitting second or first or lead-off, obviously we got a great group of guys in that clubhouse. You can put the lineup however you want.

But it's definitely fun when I know he's going to get a hit. And when he's hot, no one is going to get him out. Just being able to -- look at tonight, just keep the inning alive and give me a chance to drive in some runs. And that's all you can ask.

MOOKIE BETTS: Just that. All I've got to do is get on base and got him behind me. I normally get pitches to hit because they don't want to walk me and put him to the plate with somebody on base. And so it's just fun when you take off the uniform and you play for your boy.

Q. I'm not sure if you heard about the Edwin Diaz injury tonight. Obviously people will criticize the WBC even though that was a freak injury. When you go back and talk to players, what would you say about this experience versus whatever risk there might be of playing competitive games in March?

MIKE TROUT: I talked to Wainwright about this last night, or the Canada game. This is the funnest experience I have had on the baseball field, to represent your country. It's been a blast.

Obviously there's risk involved. You're still playing baseball, and it's Spring Training. For me, being part of this atmosphere, it's special. It means a lot to me. And I knew going in it was going to be a fun time. But I never knew it was going to be this fun. We've got a pretty good team in there, and it's fun to come to the ballpark every day.

MOOKIE BETTS: I agree. I mean, those things, they can happen to anybody at any given time. And you can always try and place blame on the WBC, but that's just a freak accident that could happen to anyone at any given time.

But to echo what Mike said, this is so much fun. It's so much fun. And this is way better than getting four at-bats in the back fields (laughter). I encourage those who are watching, come join, come play for Team USA, because this is a lot of fun.

Q. Mike, why has this surpassed your expectations?

MIKE TROUT: You train all offseason. You know you've got to get ready for this thing. And just being a part of it.

You don't know how guys are around the league. I obviously know the majority of them. I played against them. But being able to go in a clubhouse and have X amount of guys come together as a team, coaching staffs from all over different organizations, seeing how good people they are.

And obviously the atmosphere. It's fun baseball. Hearing USA chanted, the chants in the ninth inning, and you look in the stands and people are waving the American flag it means a lot to us. And to play for our country, it's been really fun.