MLB WORLD SERIES: ASTROS VS BRAVES

October 25, 2021

Austin Riley

Eddie Rosario

Minute Maid Park

Atlanta Braves

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. Austin, Joc just shared with us, when he showed up into the clubhouse with Stephen, it was kind of a little quiet and sad. The goal was to bring the mojo back because they didn't want to be part of that team. Can you share with us, how did he help bring the mojo back and, in his words, play like you guys are bad MFs?

AUSTIN RILEY: The pearls. Yeah, I mean, he's Joc for sure. He keeps it light. He keeps it -- like he said, we were searching for sure. I think he comes in and kind of makes everything light in the clubhouse, in the dugout. Just a really good dude. Like I said, he's just Joc. He's all over the place. He means really well. Wants the team to win. So like I said, I think you need one of those guys on your team.

Q. With this infield defense and the success you've had this year, it seems like there was a particular turning point in May or June with positioning and using the shift more. Can you share anything about that and working on that with Ron Washington?

AUSTIN RILEY: At the end of the day, I think the goal is to make sure that the pitchers are comfortable with their arsenal when they're throwing their pitches that we're in the right place that they feel comfortable, that they can make their pitch and get outs. It was a little back and forth earlier in the year of shifting a lot, not shifting enough. So like I said, it's more one of those things where just talking with the pitchers.

They have every right, when we're in the shift, if they don't like it, they can move us. Like I said, at the end of the day, we want them to be comfortable, to be able to feel like they have the confidence to make their pitch.

So it wasn't really any specific thing that we did. It was one of those feel things where it can switch from pitcher to pitcher.

Q. I was just wondering, since you've been here, have you had any specific "holy crap, I'm in the World Series moments," just looking around?

AUSTIN RILEY: Not really. Not yet at least. Every time someone says it, a family member or friends, you're going to the World Series, it's like, yeah, well, I am. It's crazy.

Really like I said, the ups and downs that we've had this year to be here, it says a lot about this team.

Q. Has there been any communication between you and Carlos Correa?

EDDIE ROSARIO: No, no conversation has been had yet, but there's going to be a very nice conversation once we meet, see each other.

Q. How did you overcome facing a team like the Dodgers who are extremely talented and resilient?

EDDIE ROSARIO: It was one of the best series I've ever been a part of in my life. They're a great team. Incredibly challenging. But it was something I'm extremely proud to be a part of to be able to advance and beat them to get to this point.

Q. How you overcame the challenges of being traded after getting hurt and obviously struggling the first half of the season and having to rehabilitate and get back with the team after being traded?

EDDIE ROSARIO: It just took a lot of focus. This was something I've been dreaming for my entire life. It never stopped because I think I always had faith in myself. I believe in my ability. It had to happen this way. I think this sort of opportunity had to present itself, and I had to be in this moment for everything to happen the way it did.

Q. Austin, Ron Washington's helped a lot of guys to Gold Gloves over the course of his career. What specifically is it that he does that connects with you when you work with him? Do you think that's possibly a realistic goal for you down the road?

AUSTIN RILEY: Yeah, I think that's -- if you're not working for a Gold Glove, I mean, you're always working to be the best. It's just his ability to pinpoint the very minor things that make big differences when you're trying to catch a ground ball or a bad hop or something is what he's so good about.

The relationship that he has, it doesn't matter who you are, in spring, he's working with every guy. He's out there from the time the sun comes up until the last guy, the last infielder comes through. He's one of those guys that loves the game, loves to work, loves to help the next guy.

I think that's -- he kind of took me under his wing when he first came over, and he was on me a lot. I had a lot of different, I guess, bad habits that I've created, and he stayed on me and stayed on me until we finally started correcting them and finally seeing some improvements.

No, he's the best. I love Ron. Like you said, the ultimate goal is to win a Gold Glove.

Q. Who is Hector Otero, and what does he mean to you and to your family?

EDDIE ROSARIO: He was the scout that signed me. He's from Miami. We've always been connected. We've had a very strong relationship and kind of our stories are tied together.

He's a big part of the reason of my career. He's always supported me, and he's always encouraged me and been there for me all these moments. Like I said, I think he's a big reason of why I'm here, a big part of my career.

Q. What does it feel like to -- the last time the Braves were in the World Series was in the '90s when you were very young. What's it feel like to be in this position, especially since the team was sort of written off and no one really predicted they would be here?

EDDIE ROSARIO: I was always a big fan of the Braves growing up, in particular because of Javy Lopez being on the team, but it's just a great opportunity to be here. I'm obviously very grateful to the organization for this opportunity. I'm glad things worked out this way and very grateful to be here.