WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC VS NICARAGUA

March 14, 2023

Sandor Guido

LoanDepot Park

Team Nicaragua

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Yesterday's game you didn't get the result you were expecting. However, a story happened that's almost a fairy tale with Duque. Can you tell us what happened.

SANDOR GUIDO: History for our country. Thank you for this opportunity, first of all. And, yes, Duque's performance yesterday was great. It's a fairy tale, as you have said. Duque was the last pitcher to join the team. He came from the under-23 team that went to Aguascalientes, and little by little he was working. It was difficult for me to choose him for the team because there were pitchers with more experience than Duque.

But the job he did in the national championship and the professional league showed what I really liked. You know, the hunger, the will to compete no matter the teams they are going to face. I called on him for the ninth inning. Duque came out, and you saw his performance - Soto, Rodriguez. I thought Machado would be the last victim, but no, he was spared. Then Devers.

Then the guy was impressive. Now everyone is speaking about Duque in the world, and in the Classic he is more famous than myself. He is in the eyes of many organizations. Let's see what will happen. I wish him the best of luck, and we as a team with not many stars, thank God that the organizations scout our players.

I want our players to play in Venezuela, Mexico, China and Japan because this is going to be great for the Nicaraguan baseball.

Q. What changed so Erasmo can start the game today?

SANDOR GUIDO: No, nothing changed. It is just the same, 50 pitches. We are going to compete today. We want to end up the tournament with honor. If we have victory, it'll be much better. We are going to continue working, competing, and we are going to enjoy this tournament.

We want to be in the second round, but it's been a great experience for us, and we have learned some lessons. We are going to continue working. We are going to improve the things that we have to improve, and I'm going to continue learning, of course.

This is something that I'm going to improve myself. I want to improve my résumé. I want to work hard for the upcoming tournaments. I don't know if I will be present in another Classic, but thank God because my family is with me today.

Q. Sandor, is it possible to see Jonathan in action today taking into consideration his last game versus Venezuela?

SANDOR GUIDO: They are available today. Theophile is available as well. Those that didn't have the opportunity will pitch. If Jonathan is ready to pitch again, we'll use him.

Q. What are your plans after the World Classic, an organization has talked to you or something like that?

SANDOR GUIDO: No, not so far. The plan is to continue working with my team in Nicaragua. I have to work in the national league in the summer. I'm a manager of the Leones de León, and I have a contract with them. But I'm open to opportunities. If I have the opportunity to work in organized baseball, in professional baseball, I'm willing because I want to continue learning and working, and I love this. This is my passion, no matter the situations we face.