93RD MLB ALL-STAR GAME

July 11, 2023

Elías Díaz

T-Mobile Park

National League

Press Conference

National League - 3, American League - 2

THE MODERATOR: Who has the first question for Elias?

Q. Obviously you were the big reason that this National League team broke quite a long losing streak in the All-Star Game. How much does that mean to you to be the catalyst for that to finally get the NL back on top in this game?

ELÍAS DÍAZ: It feels incredible. When we all got here, we all talked about how we were going to bring home the win. I just didn't realize it was going to be me to bring home the win. But it feels great, it feels awesome to be able to contribute.

Q. Your manager said that you told him, "I'll do whatever you want." You went in to pinch-hit, stayed in as DH. Did you ever think this was possible, that you were going to walk out of here with the MVP award?

ELÍAS DÍAZ: Yeah, when I talked to Rob I basically just told him that whatever he needs from me, I'm here to help the team. I didn't necessarily realize that it was going to be me winning the game and bringing home the victory but, yeah, I told him whatever he needed from me, I was happy to be here.

And also I was talking with my teammates earlier in the dugout, earlier in the game, maybe the 3rd or 4th inning Orlando Arcia, he was telling me that, "Hey, you're going to go up to bat you're going to hit a home run, and you're going to win the MVP."

I didn't think it was going to turn into all this and win the trophy and whatever other prizes that come with it, but it's really special.

Q. Can you take us through the at-bat and what's going through your head as you're circling the bases there?

ELÍAS DÍAZ: First part of your question, as far as the at-bat goes, I feel like I went in with a really good plan. Just talking with the hitting coach, he showed me the numbers, kind of showed me the plan. So I was looking for a specific pitch. I was able to get it and connect.

Then as far as when I was rounding the bases, just overwhelmed with emotion. A ton of emotions when I was running around the bases.

Q. Three and a half years ago you were non-tendered by a last-place team, the Pirates. What does this mean to you, after that, to not only be an All-Star, but to be All-Star Game MVP?

ELÍAS DÍAZ: Yeah, I mean, it's incredible. Obviously when that happened, when they let me go, I didn't allow myself to feel defeated. I maintained my confidence and stayed positive. Now I'm just happy to be here, happy to have this experience and, yeah, it's been a great time.

Q. What has been different or better this year? Like what have you done to get the chance to be an All-Star this year?

ELÍAS DÍAZ: My preparation. Coming into this year, really just focusing on that. Working with my hitting coaches in Colorado, just working with them daily. They have really been able to kind of help me out and give me that confidence to be able to be here and be an All-Star.

Q. In Colorado we talked so much about you being the first Rockies catcher to be in an All-Star Game. Now you're the first Rockies MVP of an All-Star Game. What does that mean to you? It just seems you keep setting these firsts in a Rockies uniform.

ELÍAS DÍAZ: Man, that's something that I never could have imagined. Obviously I was aware that I was the first Rockies catcher to be an All-Star, but I really wanted -- I took a lot of pride in that. I wanted to make the Rockies proud and put my name on the map. And now history is continuing to write itself with the MVP.

But really it's something incredible, something that I'm really proud of to be the first Rockie.

Q. You shared the catching duties with Sean Murphy tonight. You've been around him the past couple days, what has impressed you the most about him?

ELÍAS DÍAZ: Yeah, I mean he's an incredible catcher. He has a lot of skills, a lot of knowledge. Both him and Smith. So being able to be around them and kind of learn from them, understand how they play their game, it's been an incredible experience for me.

I'm coming away from it really satisfied with the amount of knowledge that I take from them, that I've learned from them to be able to move forward in my game as well.

Q. Your name is now going to be listed on this award along with players like Willie Mays and Frank Robinson, both Griffeys, Mike Piazza. What does that mean to you to be alongside those players?

ELÍAS DÍAZ: It's incredible. I honestly can't believe that my name is going to be next to some of those names that you listed. Obviously I worked really hard to get to where I am, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would be in this position to be able to be next to some of the people that you listed.

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. I know that jersey is headed to Cooperstown. We're very happy for you.

(Applause.)