WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: QUARTERFINALS 2 - PUERTO RICO VS MEXICO

March 17, 2023

Christian Vazquez

LoanDepot Park

Team Puerto Rico

Pregame Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Christian Vázquez.

Q. You played in a group with Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico for the second time. Do you think it's fair that the three teams are in the same pool or they should be separated in future editions of the WBC?

CHRISTIAN VÁZQUEZ: It's one of the teams that the fans support, but we don't have control of the pool we're going to play in. It's not our decision. Wherever they put us we're going to do our job to fight to try win. We're super happy to be where we are today. Now we're playing Mexico and we're going to fight.

Q. What's the mood of the group after Edwin Díaz's incident? Of course you cannot share the strategy, but what do you think you're going to find today versus Mexico?

CHRISTIAN VÁZQUEZ: We are very happy to be here again after beating the Dominican Republic. What happened to Sugar Díaz, it's painful for us, for the island, for the Mets, and for the baseball as a whole. He's a star and a very important pitcher for baseball. I believe that now we have more reason to win. This gives us more motivation. We're going to play harder for him and for the island. It hurt what happened, but we have to keep on playing, keep on fighting as a team. We are super happy to be here again and now we're playing Mexico today.

Q. You have been in unbelievable scenarios, World Series. You have been a key player in those moments. A professional player like you, how do you deal with a game like today's? How important is this day for you?

CHRISTIAN VÁZQUEZ: Every day is important, you know? You have to play every game as if it was the last game in your career. You have to give everything you've got for your teammates. This one's very important. The game versus the Dominican Republic was very important as well. It was sudden death. That game, I would consider as one of the most important ones in my career. The support of the fans, of the crowd, the atmosphere we saw in that game was electric.

Q. A lot is said about the rivalry with the Dominican Republic, but Puerto Rico has a great rivalry with Mexico in terms of boxing specifically. Do you know how important it is for Puerto Rico to beat Mexico?

CHRISTIAN VÁZQUEZ: Yes, in boxing with Tito, Soto and the others. Puerto Rico stopped when Tito and Cotto fought. These are very special moments, great memories. No matter who we play the mindset is going to be the same. We have to go out and fight and to play and win for the island. This is the mindset we have in the clubhouse, and this is what we are going to do. We are in a great position to do that and the team is united.

Q. Puerto Rico and the WBC has had a great relief by the catchers of the team. You have Martín. He's 36 years old now. I hope that he will be back in the next edition. Can you speak about the catchers? René is here. We can include him. Could you speak about the next generations of catchers?

CHRISTIAN VÁZQUEZ: Yes, on the island we have had great catchers. Benito and his people, Evan, we will always have great catchers behind the home plate for Puerto Rico. And they are going to honor Puerto Rico because of all the catchers we have had in the history. We have great catchers wearing that uniform. It's very important. It is important. You have to call the right pitches. Puerto Rico, the whole island is looking at you and that's a very high responsibility. Yes, it's a legacy. Machete and I won last year with the Houston Astros, we have great chemistry. And this is what we are trying to do in the WBC. Try to win again.

Q. I need you to give us an assessment on the importance of Yadi Molina as a manager for the Puerto Rico and team.

CHRISTIAN VÁZQUEZ: He's a great leader. He's key for the team. Having him on the team, his contributions in the clubhouse, he helps us a lot to go all out to win. In the previous Classics you could see the passion he had for Puerto Rico. Everything he does and did for Puerto Rico, his presence is very valuable. When he talks to us we have to listen to him, you know. There is a lot of experience.