MLB WORLD SERIES: ASTROS VS BRAVES

October 25, 2021

Charlie Morton

Ozzie Albies

Dansby Swanson

Minute Maid Park

Atlanta Braves

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Charlie, we've asked you about the Game 1 experience, Game 1 of the World Series against a former team. What does that add to the element?

CHARLIE MORTON: Charlie Morton. What part?

Q. The former team.

CHARLIE MORTON: I don't know. I'm sure there's going to be emotions there that I've experienced before. I mean, I got to come back here in 2019 and pitch a regular season game. I pitched against them in the postseason in 2019.

In 2019 they had a little video before the game trying to get me distracted, and then I pitched against them a couple times last postseason. I've already revisited that, and obviously a couple years have gone by. I'll always have really fond memories of the guys over there.

But coming back here, it's only natural you're going to feel something. What that is, I don't know.

Q. Charlie, you were pretty contrite last year when you started 2020 season after the MLB report had come out in what happened with 2017 with the Astros. You took accountability for obviously a lesser role, for the knowledge of it, I guess. Now you're standing in the way, as you were last year, of them trying to get another one, which to some would be kind of a vindication of sorts. Just wondering does that enter your head at all as you're approaching this?

CHARLIE MORTON: I don't know. What happened in 2017 and then going into '18 I saw a really good team in 2018 when I was over there. I saw a very good team, a World Series team in 2019, and I saw a team that was one win away from going to the World Series last year.

I never questioned how good those guys were and how good they are. So that's my focus. Like I'm pitching against a really good baseball team. These are really important games. They're really important starts. So that's my mentality.

Q. Charlie, you've had this is your third time now obviously with three different franchises in the last few years in the World Series. What has that experience shown you maybe about how World Series teams can be built or how possible it is for various markets to make it?

CHARLIE MORTON: Yeah, I guess the three organizations were all somewhat different. With the Astros, there was a lot made of the draft picks, the losing -- the three 100-loss seasons and they get a bunch of draft picks. They're scouting their analytics departments obviously. You're still seeing the effects of what Jeff Luhnow did here.

The Rays, when I was there, $60 million payroll team, heavy into analytics and scouting, developing from within. All on a much lesser payroll. Then the Braves have a little bit of everything.

What it really comes down to is the clubhouse, I think. Besides the obvious talent and ability to play the game, but to make it this far, I think the clubhouse is the deciding factor. Because how tight the group is is really what allows you to get deeper in the postseason.

Q. Charlie, that goes along with what I was going to ask you. Walt Weiss said it takes -- he was there in '99 with the Braves. He says it takes so much more than just talent to get to the World Series. Things have got to go your way. Some luck, some good breaks. Would you agree with that, it takes more than just good talent to get there?

CHARLIE MORTON: Yeah, I've played on enough really talented postseason teams to know that. Just looking over at the other dugout against some of the teams I've seen in the postseason, just phenomenally talented. And guaranteed good groups, good guys. But it's so hard to get to this point. So, yeah, Walt's right.

Q. And the chemistry is a big factor in that, what we're talking about?

CHARLIE MORTON: Yeah, the clubhouse, how you bounce back from a loss, how tight you guys are, if you get blown out, or not getting too high, not getting too low. So those are all factors, yeah.

Q. Dansby, Bregman was asked earlier about the long relationship you've had and how long you've been linked. How do you view that competition you guys have shared all the way back to your freshman years?

DANSBY SWANSON: Yeah, it's definitely a unique thing, just competing against each other in college. I feel like, whenever we've competed against one another, it's been at an extremely high level, just in terms of the teams we were both on and the stages on which we were playing.

So it seems like the same story is true now in the World Series and playing against one another. Just grateful to have the opportunity, obviously. Looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity.

Q. Charlie, both Altuve and Bregman said you were one of the best teammates you've ever had. They really talked very highly of you. I wondered, do you still keep in touch with those guys? You already answered what it's going to be like, but I just kind of wanted you to discuss your relationship with them.

CHARLIE MORTON: I've exchanged text messages with Breg. I saw Tuve at the hotel last season or postseason. He had that one game where he made a couple tough errors, and he just looked distraught. I don't know how he felt inside.

Yeah, I feel like I had really good relationships with those guys, and that's really my focus when I get into a clubhouse. I'm really humbled that they would say that. That's pretty great.

Q. Charlie, you kind of hit on the emotional side of this. How do you approach it, though? Is this just any other game to you? Is that how you go into this, any other start? Can you recognize this is Game 1 of the World Series against a team you know so well?

CHARLIE MORTON: Right. I don't know. Being back here in Houston, having played with a few of those guys over there, gone through a lot with some of those guys over there, and then obviously the stage we're on here. Those are all things I'm well aware of.

But I think what you're alluding to is trying to maintain focus of the things that I would usually focus on during a start -- making pitches, prepare the way I prepare, and just going out there and execute, trying to not let this distract me.

But, yeah, sure, I'm sure I'm going to feel some things when I get on that mound. I don't think there's any way not to.

Q. For both of you guys, you guys came up through the system together. You've obviously been playing together for a few years. How surreal is it you're playing with each other in the World Series, and how much have you enjoyed watching the growth for each of you?

OZZIE ALBIES: It's everything. Me and him, we play in the middle of the infield. We joke around a lot, but when it's serious work, we go out there and compete against the opposing team. We always try to relate from each other and play as hard as we can because that's part of our game. That's how we play.

It's been great playing against him. He's everything for our team.

DANSBY SWANSON: Clearly, we can't get enough of each other. We've got to sit next to each other at the podium too (laughter).

It's just a testament that you can do a lot of great things in life, but you've got to be able to work at it. We've been doing that now for about six years together. It started in Mississippi, very hot summer days down there, and I feel like we've just always been able to really relate to one another on the field.

We've carried that into our Big League careers, and it's really special being able to play next to this guy and having developed that relationship for such a long time now. Maybe he'll text me back now (laughter).

Q. Ozzie, I don't know how much you follow other players, but has Altuve been an influence on you coming up and watching him play?

OZZIE ALBIES: Yeah, because people say I can do -- they were saying I can't do the job. I can't get the job done because I'm small. I'm like Altuve's smaller than me, and he's done it. The first time I saw him, we said hi to each other. He's actually a little smaller than me. I thought, if he can do it, why can't I do it?

He's a guy I've always watched the way he plays. He plays hard. He's been one of the examples I always watch to do the same, try to do the same or even better.

Q. A little offbeat. Way back in April, you got a lot of attention for burning sage at the stadium and the clubhouse. I'm just wondering, also being a Falcons fan and being back here in Houston, where there was a certain game a few years back, if you feel the need to do any sort of spiritual cleansing.

DANSBY SWANSON: I can't even answer that. This is a few years later and a completely different sport. Last time I checked, they've won the last two games. A little stressful.

No, I mean, this is such a unique opportunity to be here. It's such a blessing. I know we're all so grateful for this. We've worked very hard for this moment ever since Spring Training, and then all the adversity throughout the season and the things that seemingly could never go our way for such a long period of time.

I feel like it really, really almost like toughened up this team and given us a level of toughness and perseverance that I don't think I've ever been a part of. In terms of a team, this is at the top of the list. So we're looking forward to tomorrow night.

Q. Do you think the sage thing worked?

DANSBY SWANSON: I don't know. You tell me. We're here, aren't we?