WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - CUBA VS PUERTO RICO

March 9, 2026

German Mesa

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

Team Cuba

Postgame Press Conference

Puerto Rico 4, Cuba 1

Q. In your consideration I, where do you think necessarily the game was lost?

GERMAN MESA: Well, it was a good game. Generally, where I think that we lost was that second inning, where we got the three runs. There we were a little close.

The pitching that Puerto Rico had was in great condition. That's my consideration. That's where I believe we lost the game.

Q. German, Alexei Ramirez just became the longest-playing player in a World Classic. Can you tell me what it means at age 44 to still be playing ball?

GERMAN MESA: Look, that is an example of consistency. He's a player who after so much time, age 44, he's still playing. He's physically fit. To me, that's something to look for.

Q. Who will start the next game?

GERMAN MESA: In the next game, Moinelo will start.

Q. How would you describe what you saw of the Puerto Rico team today? Anything that caught your eye? Any particular player?

GERMAN MESA: The pitching. The pitching that Puerto Rico had was excellent pitching. It's a team that, if it gets a lead, it will be difficult to beat them. Their pitchers are impressive.

Q. You're going to be off tomorrow, but Puerto Rico is playing with Canada. Your next game is against Canada. Tomorrow you guys are off. Are you going to watch the game to see how to face them?

GERMAN MESA: Of course, of course. We're taking advantage of every possibility. Even games on TV, we're watching them all. We're doing our evaluations to be able to watch the opponent.

Q. The future of World Baseball Classic, how do you see it in your opinion?

GERMAN MESA: I find it really good. I think it's really good. Today the way the fans were, the way the stadium is, it's an example, proof that it's still alive and long lasting. That's my personal opinion.

Q. Today's offense failed, only two hits. The game, it's said that you don't change a winning lineup, but do you think you're going to make any change in the lineup for the next game?

GERMAN MESA: Yes, that's analyzable. The thing about a winning lineup doesn't change. I mean, you have to make your adjustments obviously. Today the pitchers that were here today, they were in excellent condition. This is a ballgame, we had to lose. Had we started ahead, gotten a lead, maybe we would have had the advantage and it would have been tough for them, but they started ahead.

Q. There was a violation of the pitch clock, but they had two balls and two strikes. The pitcher noticed that he wasn't making contact, which is what the rule established. Then Maldonado told the umpire something on the replay. Had you noticed that?

GERMAN MESA: Yes, the umpire had told us we were taking too long, that we had to do it. Sometimes between the pressure of the game and the count, sometimes you get a little distracted, and the umpire was kind of strict on that.

I think he didn't have to intervene in the game. He just could have left the pitcher and the batter to deal with it, and he decided on his own. It's a personal thing. I don't agree, but that's the rule.

Q. German, what do you think the challenge will be like for you facing Canada on Wednesday?

GERMAN MESA: Canada's team, what I've seen, is a good team. They have good players. I've seen them in good shape with good players.

It's a good team. It's a team that we have to face. We are ready for these two games, today against Puerto Rico and then Canada. We're going to go after it, that's all I can say.

But it's a team that looks very good compared to teams of other years.

Q. You're an Olympic champion and world champion, the Cuba of those years with the Cuba of today's baseball, how has it changed, and what can be done to recover that championship field?

GERMAN MESA: Well, we're working on that. It's true that it is a different team, but with the guys that we have here, the ones that we've been representing, as I said, they're not great superstars, but we're fighting on the field, and we are showing that Cuban baseball is alive and kicking.