AL DIVISION SERIES: ROYALS VS YANKEES

October 7, 2024

Maikel Garcia

Yankee Stadium

Kansas City Royals

Postgame 2 Press Conference

Royals 4, Yankees 2

Q. Maikel, to be able to step into the lead-off role like you did today, I know you did it earlier this season, but what was your mentality coming in and knowing you had to set the tone?

MAIKEL GARCIA: The goal in that spot is to always get on base and let the guys get their RBIs, hit with people on base.

Q. (Question not in English.)

MAIKEL GARCIA: Went out to compete. The first at-bat doesn't define the rest of the game, and to be able to go out, compete and have good at-bats the rest of the game is good.

Q. Salvy hit the home run to start it off today. What does he mean to you as a teammate? He was already in the organization, World Champ, when you signed with the Royals. Take me through your relationship with him.

MAIKEL GARCIA: Very special. When he was at the World Series in '15, I was at my home in La Sabana watching those games. To be able to be here with him is a very special time.

Q. (Question not in English.)

MAIKEL GARCIA: Yeah, very thankful to God for the opportunity to do this. These are the moments that define a player sometimes, and to be able to do it and have that special moment at this time, it's a good time.

Q. How significant was it to see the entire lineup contribute, guys like Tommy Pham and Gary Hampson, to flip the lineup over for you at the top?

MAIKEL GARCIA: That's what the team is all about. If everybody does the little things, good things are going to happen. Now we've just got to wait until the next game and go at it.

Q. (Question not in English.)

MAIKEL GARCIA: I can't wait to get there, prove to fans that we're playing for them, and I've heard and I've already been told that it's a very electric environment. Can't wait to get there.

Q. (Question not in English.)

MAIKEL GARCIA: I believe it's a special time. You try to do good and get the fans to not make a sound, especially the ones that are against you or against the team. It's a special time.

Q. (Question not in English.)

MAIKEL GARCIA: We proved to them today and we did it also in the first game, and we also have nine players.

Q. (Question not in English.)

MAIKEL GARCIA: It's a special time. I didn't even know I was part of that group. But no, not really. Just talked to Salvy because he's here and he's the one who's helped me a lot and gave me good advice.

Q. (Question not in English.)

MAIKEL GARCIA: We're coming from Baltimore where those two games helped us manage expectations with the fans and the environment, and it's just about doing the things that you can do and being in the postseason.