WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - NETHERLANDS VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 8, 2026

Andruw Jones

LoanDepot Park

Team Netherlands

Pregame Press Conference

Q. You're coming after a win that you got in the last moment. How are you managing the group with these ups and downs, considering that you still have some games to play?

ANDRUW JONES: The team is always ready to do something. I have said many times, those who make the fewest mistakes will win. The pitcher made a mistake yesterday. Ozzie is a very good hitter who loves that kind of pitch, and he took advantage of that mistake. The first game we left many runners on base. Yesterday the same. I think that they will be better today than yesterday.

Q. You have had several participations saying that there have been some mistakes with runners on base. Have you talked to the team about that? How is the team planning to solve those issues?

ANDRUW JONES: These guys are professional. They know what to do. They see the game. They know what they did, what they didn't do. And I always tell them, the team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.

We made a couple of mistakes, and Nicaragua took advantage of those mistakes. We cannot make mistakes against the Dominican Republic because they drive so many runs in if we make those mistakes. So we have to avoid those mistakes.

Q. In this match, we will have two former great players as managers. What do you think about having Albert Pujols as the opposing manager? And the win yesterday, is it important to face a team such as the Dominican Republic, which is one of the favorites?

ANDRUW JONES: It is an honor to manage together with Pujols. I followed his career from the very beginning. We are friends. We play golf together. He's done a very good job.

Two years ago he won the Caribbean Series in the Dominican Republic. So I admire him a lot, and I follow his career. It's an honor to face a team that is managed by him.

Regarding the game yesterday, we left so many runners on base, but we won. I hope we have a different attitude today and score more runs.

Q. I saw you in the Dominican Republic playing golf with players. Talk to me about the Dominican Republic; do you like going there, visiting that country? Could you maybe manage a team over there?

ANDRUW JONES: I have been to the Dominican Republic many, many times. Friends invite me. We play golf. I go on vacation there. I have played on the Dominican Republic with the Aguilas back in 2008 maybe. But I love the Dominican Republic. The fans really support their teams.

I remember once we went to the capital, to Santiago. The fans were criticizing me because I was not in good shape at that time. The fans are very strong, and I cannot say no to managing in the Dominican Republic. It would be great to do something over there.

Q. The Dominican lineup is so well known, such great players. Can it be easier for preparation purposes when it's players you're familiar with as opposed to some other teams where you might be facing a lineup of players that you're not so familiar with?

ANDRUW JONES: Good question. Yes, we see these guys so many years, you see them on TV all the time. It's hard to face guys from Nicaragua, guys from Israel, guys from different countries that you don't see much. To get a chance to see these guys, get the scouting report, get the data on them, see what they chase, what they don't chase -- they have a Major League Baseball lineup. I wish I could manage a lineup like that.

But it's a competition. Like I said way before earlier, the team that makes less mistakes is going to be on top. Hopefully we can take advantage of the opportunities when we get a chance to score, and then it will be a battle.