WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL A - CANADA VS CUBA

March 11, 2026

Owen Caissie

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

Team Canada

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Good morning, Owen. You seem to be pretty locked in here in the tournament. Have you made any particular adjustments or tweaked anything offensively that has really translated for you at the WBC?

OWEN CAISSIE: I'd be lying if I said yeah. I'm just trying to be myself and just put the ball in play because I know, when I do that, I give my team a good chance.

But no adjustments or anything like that. Just trying to be on time and get good pitches to hit.

Q. You seem to be comfortable in these kind of high-intensity, high-pressure situations. Do you do anything, say anything to yourself? Do you have any type of breathing techniques to keep that heart rate down in those big spots?

OWEN CAISSIE: I just tell myself pressure's a privilege, and I work so hard to be here. If I was nervous -- I mean, it's healthy to be nervous. I would lie if I said I wasn't nervous. Step out 1-2, 2-2, whenever I need really, step out and take a deep breath.

I know it was a loud atmosphere especially, but that's for us, not only for Puerto Rico. I've dreamt of being in like situations like that my whole entire life. So it would be a waste for me to not embrace it fully, coming with all the emotions.

Q. Do you have any other experiences that compare to these previous games with maybe not quite the same stakes, but the same type of intensity, a lot riding on it?

OWEN CAISSIE: When I was up for my brief time at Wrigley last year, it was nuts every single game. Then I was on the taxi squad in the playoffs with Milwaukee, at Wrigley and then in Milwaukee, it was crazy.

So I have a little bit of experience, but nothing to that caliber, always upbeat, loud, loud, loud. It was very cool to be a part of it.

Q. Just in terms of being around those high-stakes environments, as a player, knowing that there's a lot going on, what have you maybe pulled to take into those games, mindset approach, those kinds of things?

OWEN CAISSIE: I guess the main takeaway would be I'm just extremely grateful that I'm able to take part in this because not many people do, especially being a Canadian baseball player, very few of us. And it just makes it special to see where baseball has taken me and my family all around the world.

The main takeaway would be I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity.

Q. My question is kind of twofold and along the same lines. Having been in this experience a couple of times, how have you seen just Canadian baseball improve, and what impression do you hope fans take away from this outcome?

OWEN CAISSIE: Last WBC I was just young, and my head was all over the place. My head was just kind of going nuts. Comparing that WBC to this one, I'm a lot more calm. I know what to expect. I knew coming in here it was going to be a pretty crazy atmosphere, especially against Puerto Rico.

I just think we're showing people that Canadians can play. We always have been able to. This time around I feel we have a really well-round ball club, and it just shows that talent can come from anywhere.

Q. Do you think that anything in your lifetime has changed in terms of Canadian baseball?

OWEN CAISSIE: I remember growing up that, if there wasn't social media, I guarantee you I wouldn't be where I am. Going back, doing all the showcases, getting the recognition from things like Perfect Game, PBR, all that stuff.

Now when I look back and I go home, there's a lot -- I guess you could call it a lot more buzz, you know what I mean, around Canadian baseball because of social media and people are realizing that good talent comes out of Canada. I'm not saying there wasn't before or anything like that, but I just see more and more kids getting better opportunities than I did growing up. And it's only going to continue to get better.

Q. Could you take me through that relay play with Otto Lopez. What was your thought process throughout? Did you think you had a chance to get him out? Were you trying to get to him as quick as possible and get him out? What are your thoughts on Livan Moinelo and how impressive he has been?

OWEN CAISSIE: With the relay play, I've knew Bradfield was on first. I played with him before. I knew he was a burner. So the only way I was going to get him out was to bare-hand it. If I went to my glove, I knew he was going to be safe no matter what. I had to get that and just get to Otto, left side of the body. I knew I got it out clean, and Otto got it out good, and it was bang-bang.

Livan Moinelo, he's a good player. Going to be a good game. If we stick to our approach, I feel like we have the men to do the job. I watched some of his video. He's got good stuff. Just got to keep a good approach, and the rest will take care of itself.

Q. Owen, talk to us a little bit about how do you feel about this trade you got from Chicago to the Marlins? How do you see yourself fitting in with the situation? They have a bunch of young players, but at the same time, some of them already have like their spots assured for this year.

OWEN CAISSIE: Initially, I was with the Cubs for, I think, 5 1/2, 6 years. I was initially sad. All my buddies are there. I grew great relationships with the Cubs. I'm always thankful for the Cubs for giving me an opportunity.

Then after a couple days, I was extremely grateful to be a part of that and realizing it's a really, really good opportunity. As of right now, I could not tell you if I'm going to break or not. So I really have no idea, but I know there's a lot of opportunities for me there, and I think it will be really good for my career.

Miami is building on something special that they had in the second half last year. So if I could be a part of that, I'll take that chance and run.

Q. Any feedback you're getting from people back home? Any really interesting texts? Have any of your buddies reached out watching you on TV?

OWEN CAISSIE: I'm getting the usual like, oh, good job. I'm not going to lie, I'm probably doing a horrible job at getting back. It's just like I'll get back to my buddies and my family, but as of right now -- and in this season, people are probably like, oh, why isn't he responding? Look, I'm tired, and I just want to kind of be to myself.

But I try to get back to people as fast as I can, but no, nothing crazy. Just "good job" and "keep doing you" and going to keep representing Canada.