NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: METS VS DODGERS

October 13, 2024

Jeff McNeil

Dodger Stadium

New York Mets

Pregame 1 Press Conference

Q. What did you need to see the last two days to let you know that you're ready?

JEFF MCNEIL: Just wanted to make sure the wrist felt good. Had no problems at all. Took real aggressive swings. Took great at-bats. Didn't hurt at all, so I knew I was ready.

Q. What does it mean to you that you actually made it back and you're along for this run?

JEFF MCNEIL: Yeah, like I said I think a little over a month ago, if I was playing again, it's a good thing. Happy to be back. Happy to be contributing in this NLCS.

Q. You just mentioned it, but when you got hurt you said if you come back it's a good sign because the team still's playing. When you said that, what did you think the chances of it actually happening, both for you and the team?

JEFF MCNEIL: I thought there was a pretty good chance we'd make the playoffs. We were playing well at the time. That's what was probably the most frustrating part is getting hurt and not being able to help the team and contribute to that great run.

Just to be back right now means a lot. I wanted to play in the playoffs. It's been tough watching. But a lot of fun, at the same time, seeing how this team's been playing.

Q. What is your expectation now of how much you're going to play, what kind of starts you're going to get, second base versus right field? And what has Mendy told you in that regard?

JEFF MCNEIL: Talked to Mendy a little while ago. He told me just to be ready. It's going to change day to day. Be ready to come off the bench. Take some big at-bats.

A lot of -- the Dodgers are a lot of right-handed heavy. So I'm sure there's going to be some at-bats but just be ready and anything can happen.

Q. What did you need to see from yourself those couple of days in the fall league that tells you you're good to go?

JEFF MCNEIL: Just wanted to get through it healthy. Just didn't want any pain. The wrist felt good. I took a really good at-bat, too, my first AB yesterday, or two days ago. I think it was six-, seven-pitch at-bat and got a base hit. Felt really good. Kind of felt like myself. So as long as I felt good swinging the bat with no pain, I wanted to be here.

Q. What does it mean to you to get back to be a part of this?

JEFF MCNEIL: It means a lot. Just being in this organization for as long as I have and not getting too deep in the playoffs, it means a lot to play in such a big series here. So just super happy.

Q. It's hard to not see Major League pitching and jump right back in cold and hit right away. Do you feel like that's a strength of yours -- you're a throw-back style hitter? What do you think about that?

JEFF MCNEIL: Yeah, I think I am the kind of hitter who can maybe do that a little bit easier. Saw some good velocity the last few days as well.

So I think in the fall league they're all throwing 95, 98, seems like. That's kind of the pitching nowadays. Felt good seeing velo. And it's going to be tough, but that's where I am at with my talent.

Q. Have you ever played right field here?

JEFF MCNEIL: Yes. I think so.

Q. What challenges does that present, that position in this ballpark?

JEFF MCNEIL: I don't remember. (Laughter). I mean, yeah, I don't remember.

Q. Does getting back to the playoff and starting the series here mean something to you as a central coast guy who played college ball here and grew up rooting for the Dodgers?

JEFF MCNEIL: Grew up two hours down the road in Santa Barbara. Grew up going to games here. I was a Dodger fan growing up.

It means a lot to play in this ballpark. I remember when I got called up in 2018 this is one of the first places I got to play. It was pretty cool and special for me to play in this ballpark.

Have a bunch of great memories here as well. And I think my family is going to have some pretty good memories as well. It was my son Lucas' first game, for the All-Star Game, I think, at a week old in '22. And then my daughter was born about a week ago. It will be her first game at Dodger Stadium tonight. And I think my first game was Dodger Stadium. Pretty cool for the family.

Q. Could you touch on your relationship with Jose Iglesias and how he's been with you, swapping in and out?

JEFF MCNEIL: It's been fantastic what he does for the team, the energy he brings. Brings a great veteran presence. It's been fun to watch what he's been doing, and he's playing great and he's going to keep it up.

Q. Beyond the obvious, as you've been watching how the past couple of weeks have played out for the team, what are some things that have really stuck out to you about the way that you guys have gotten here to this point?

JEFF MCNEIL: I think we're just all clicking at the same time. The starting pitching has been great. The bullpen's been great. We're getting some big timely hits when we need it. So the whole team's come together, been playing great baseball for a few months now.