AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: GUARDIANS VS YANKEES

October 17, 2024

Jhonkensy Noel

Progressive Field

Cleveland Guardians

Postgame 3 Press Conference

Guardians 7, Yankees 5 (10)

Q. Very important game today, obviously, important for you guys to keep in the series and not go down 3-0. What was in your mind when you were doing that AB?

JHONKENSY NOEL: This is what we do the whole season. I try to get ready on the back whenever the manager calls me, and I started to get loose. So I was able to secure my plan. The plan was to look at pitches close to my body and I was able to get one and execute it. We're a team that don't quit. We play 27 outs, so that's kind of what happened today.

Q. How were you able to prepare so quickly for that AB, especially coming from the bench in that situation?

JHONKENSY NOEL: It's always about the mindset. I try to play every single game -- I'm ready to play every single game as it comes. That's what made it easy for me to prepare on the go, and I was able to execute the pitch that I was looking for.

Q. Did Vogt give you any words of encouragement before heading up for the at-bat?

JHONKENSY NOEL: He didn't say anything explicitly, but I know every time I get my name called up it's because they believe in me and they trust me, and that's something they've done the whole year. I know whenever the matchup makes sense for them, I know they're going to trust me in that situation.

Q. For everyone else in the world who will never know what that moment feels like, how can you best describe what it feels like coming off the bat?

JHONKENSY NOEL: It's nothing special. It's the same sensation in a regular game and you have to have the same approach. We have a lot of games left ahead of us, and that's the focus, to get the same sensation when you hit the ball.

Q. How did you and your teammates console Emmanuel after a tough night?

JHONKENSY NOEL: I don't think there's nothing to console about in terms of we ended up winning the game, and that happens to the best pitchers, and we're lucky to have the best pitcher in the world. The important part is that we won. That's going to happen, and he's saved us so many times that this is the least we could do for him.

Q. Jhonkensy, given the situation, the inning, the score of the game, were you trying to hit a home run right there?

JHONKENSY NOEL: I think there were many other things to think about other than just trying to hit a homer. Just be early, look for your pitch, execute it, and then see the result what happens, so that's kind of the mindset instead of just thinking I need to hit a homer.

Q. I know you still have games to play, but how cool was it to hear all those fans just going crazy when you hit that home run?

JHONKENSY NOEL: I mean, that's special, obviously, but I feel we have the best fans in the world, and the way how they cheered us up through the whole season is special, and the only focus for us is trying to bring the ring for them. One game today; tomorrow we have another one and try to focus on keep winning that way.

Q. Is your dad still in town?

JHONKENSY NOEL: Yes. I haven't talked to him, but I'm pretty sure he really enjoyed that.

Q. He was at the game?

JHONKENSY NOEL: Yeah, yeah.

Q. After so much success over the first couple months in the Big Leagues, how have you dealt with some of the struggles down the stretch and stayed prepared for a moment like this?

JHONKENSY NOEL: Obviously it's a struggle, but I feel every player goes through that, and you've got to grind through that, and luckily we have the support of the coaches and the structure to help you, and you have to put your work. You have to stick to your routines to your work. No player has a good 162 games in a row, so you've got to grind it and make sure sometime it's going to get better for you.

Q. You mentioned that you were looking to get your pitch. Were you looking for a changeup on that pitch, and did you recognize it, or did you just like the location of the pitch?

JHONKENSY NOEL: It was about location. That's kind of like my strength and I knew I was able to execute if he threw a fastball and then the changeup as he did.

Q. Second franchise game time postseason home run in the ninth inning or later, tied Albert Bell. Do you know anything about Albert Bell?

JHONKENSY NOEL: Yeah, I know about him. Somehow the only thing I remember is when he had the little push over the second baseman running the bases. But yeah, I remember he was a good hitter in the prior organization.

Q. From the bottom of your heart, what were you thinking when you came in for that AB?

JHONKENSY NOEL: Clearly there's some excitement around it. Cannot deny it's a very exciting moment, but at the same time, it's kind of like -- I'm not trying to be stubborn or arrogant, just to try to downplay it, but the goal is to get the World Series. When we get to that point, that's when we're going to be a little more celebratory mode. But it's a great moment, but the focus is to get going, get another AB and get on with the game.