WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: QUARTERFINALS 2 - PUERTO RICO VS MEXICO

March 17, 2023

Yadier Molina

LoanDepot Park

Team Puerto Rico

Pregame Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll take questions for Yadi.

Q. You have been a finalist in 2013, 2017, and today you advanced to the next round after being in the hardest pool of the tournament. Are you proud of that? How do you feel about these three great Classics of Puerto Rico?

YADIER MOLINA: It feels nice. The goal is to go all the way and win the trophy. We have not done anything yet. We have several important games to play. This could make the difference starting today. But, yes, Puerto Rican baseball, the world knows where Puerto Rico is and they know that we play baseball.

Q. You have been successful as a player, but you are being successful as a manager and even as an entrepreneur of basketball in Puerto Rico.

YADIER MOLINA: I'm happy with this blessing. I have worked with excellent teammates and coaches. It's a blessing, everything God has given to me.

Q. Speaking about pool D with Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, three powers in baseball. Do you think it's okay that the three teams are in the same pool or in the future they should be in different groups?

YADIER MOLINA: I don't know, it is not our job. Our job is to compete no matter the group we are in. We need to try to play, win, and advance. Yeah, it happens a lot in the last -- or in the latest WBC, we have been together in the same group with those teams. But our job is to compete.

Q. The pitching rotation, the relievers for this coming games, is that already defined after the absence of Edwin?

YADIER MOLINA: Well, it all depends on the game.

Q. Your experience, you have been a champion with the St. Louis Cardinals, WBC, etcetera. How important is faith in this?

YADIER MOLINA: Faith is everything. It's everything. God's blessing is everything. In the last game we won, but we lost our key piece for the team. The team could be down or could have been down, however the team is motivated. We're happy that he underwent a successful surgery. We are happy for that. We're motivated to go all out in this game.

Q. The winner of Group C with the runner-up of D was supposed to be on Saturday. Because of TV rights, now Venezuela, U.S. is playing tomorrow. Is that relevant in your planning, that change? Could this be a benefit for having another day off if you move on to the semi-final? Is your plan affected for some reason?

YADIER MOLINA: It's the same for me. Pitching is the most important thing. The pitchers have the days that they needed and it is our case. God willing, we're going to win today and we're going to have two days off, which is okay. So I'm always positive, you know. I try not to see the negative things. If that's God's will, we're going to deal with that.

Q. Two questions, if possible. Nelson's strategy for today as a third bat, and number two, the catcher's legacy in Puerto Rico, maybe in three years you might be in this WBC again. This is an inside joke, okay. How do you see this after Machete, considering Machete, who is 36, how do you see the new generation catchers after this event? How do you see this position?

YADIER MOLINA: We have many catchers. Talented catchers. We have too many talented catchers. Any of them could wear the Puerto Rico jerseys and do a great job.

And then, in terms of Nelson, well Nelson gives us a good matchup with Julio Urías. Everyone know that's Urías is one of the best left-handers in the majors. And the matchup of Nelson is better with him. They can do that, but the matchup is better with Nelson.

Q. Beating one of the favorites, does that give you more confidence versus Mexico?

YADIER MOLINA: Every game is different. I always say that, every team is different. We cannot be overconfident. We have to go out and play hard. All the teams present in this tournament are good. In our case, like I said before, we are focused on our game and we are going to go out and kill whoever we play.

Q. How is Alexis? Have you talked to him? Is he available for today?

YADIER MOLINA: Yes, he is available for today. He's anxious to pitch. He's motivated like the other teammates. But, yes, he's available.

Q. We asked Christian, and I'm asking you again, we know in Puerto Rico about the rivalry in Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic in baseball, but we have a rivalry in boxing. Tito Vargas, Cotto, etcetera. Do you take into consideration this rivalry versus Mexico in boxing?

YADIER MOLINA: They're two different sports, but, yes, there is that rivalry as well. But the guys do not think about that. They are willing to compete. Mexico has a good team, good pitching, good batting. Like I said before, we are focused on our game. We are going to play the baseball we know and try to win.