WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - ITALY VS CUBA

March 9, 2023

Matt Harvey

Nicky Lopez

Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium

Team Italy

Postgame Press Conference

Italy 6, Cuba 3

Q. (No translation.)

MATT HARVEY: Yeah, I mean, obviously I know the speed and what's going on with the game. But I think the most important thing is mixing pitchers up. I've learned a lot from kind of the decline in velocity and what I need to do as far as getting people out and mixing things up and I think that was something I've worked on a lot this off-season, and just continuing to work.

As far as World Series versus this, I think it's kind of hard to compare. You know, it was kind of a different time back then, you know, playing with the Mets and what we did. It was pretty special time, and it was electric, playing at home and I was a little bit younger so things got going a little bit more for me at the time. This was an unbelievable win for us here and obviously it was incredible for me to get the ball the first game and I couldn't more proud to put up zeros for the team.

Q. So when Fletcher was intentionally walked in front of you, what were you feeling in that moment? Were you nervous? Were you trying to just kind of make good contact, kind of what was going through your head in that moment?

NICKY LOPEZ: Yeah, just trying to -- obviously got down, what was it, 1-2 pretty quick and just trying to make some contact. You know, I kind of had an idea that they might walk him and get the left on left matchup. Dominic Fletcher put us ahead for another run.

So we were working with two runs up to begin with, and so I just tried to put the ball in play, let him make a play, and I was fortunate to get a slider up. I thought it was probably going to be an off-speed pitch and I was just trying to see it as deep as possible, but know I could react to the fastball if he threw it. I was fortunate to see a slider up and put a good swing on it.

Q. I think someone asked Mike about this, but how are the mustaches coming in? Whose idea was it? Did someone have the idea originally or is it a group thing?

NICKY LOPEZ: I think it was like a trickle-down effect.

MATT HARVEY: Yeah.

NICKY LOPEZ: Actually, I think it was Dominic Fletcher who got it first, right, and then Harv got it second and we all followed Harv. I wasn't going to get it and then, you know, I saw him get it so I had to.

Q. Thank you very much for playing for team he tally. I know it's a very special time for you, and what about the camaraderie behind the scenes? Is this one of the more special moments you've experienced playing in baseball?

MATT HARVEY: I would definitely say so. I mean, it's -- for all of us to get invited and to play in such a special tournament and for our family members and for our country that runs through our blood, it's extremely special.

. You know, I know my grandfather is part of the reason I'm able to be here, and you know, he's getting older, and I know he was up this morning to watch it and it's just special to be able to play for him. I think that goes for all of us. We are playing for our families. We are playing for our country. That runs in our blood and we are just super excited to be here.

Q. Let's talk about the fratello, the brotherhood that's going on behind the scenes. Can you compare it with anything else you've experienced?

NICKY LOPEZ: No, this is a big stage. A lot of different people from around the world are tuning in. A lot of countries are playing, and just to be able to play for Team Italy, being an Italian American, kind of like Harv said, my mom is 100 percent Italian and I know the Lopez last name might not show it but just to be able to carry it through and play for them is something very, very special.

But behind the scenes, you know, our team is close. We are hungry individuals who want to make a name for ourselves but in the same breath we are playing for each other, and you could see that tonight. We are top-stepping it, pushing for one another. I know it was a dogfight but to be able to push through at the end was something special and I'm proud of each and every one of us.