WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - NETHERLANDS VS VENEZUELA

March 6, 2026

Druw Jones

LoanDepot Park

Team Netherlands

Pregame Press Conference

Q. What has it meant to be playing for your father, representing the country for your father?

DRUW JONES: It's awesome. It's an honor to be able to play for the kingdom and to be able to come out here and play my game at one of the highest stages.

Q. What are the expectations for you and the team for the tournament?

DRUW JONES: We're going to go out there and win ballgames. No expectation, but we're going to do all the little things right and do all we can to win.

Q. What did you think when you found out your dad was going to manage, and did you know right away you'd have a chance to be on this roster?

DRUW JONES: Yeah, for sure. As soon as he knew he was managing, he kind of let me know. He was like, hey, man, if you're going to be able to play, we're going to have you on the roster. Of course I'm going to accept. Just had to wait on the team's approval, and they were all backing it 100 percent.

Q. He's kind of coached you throughout your life, I assume, but what is it like playing for him in an official capacity?

DRUW JONES: Yeah, first time actually putting on the same uniform and being a manager or a coach for me. But of course off the field he's always about there for me. But yeah, it's awesome, it's an experience, and it's an honor.

Q. Growing up in America, obviously you're around the culture a little bit growing up where you did, but being here with this experience, how have you been able to immerse further into that culture?

DRUW JONES: Yeah, it's awesome. These guys are all All-Stars at the end of the day, and we're all just out here playing baseball, and that's all we can do. Just do all the little things right.

Q. Has there been a moment in this time with the Netherlands specifically that you maybe have learned something new about your culture, some slang terms or just anything about the Curaçao or Netherlands culture that has stuck with you in the past week?

DRUW JONES: I'm still trying to learn some stuff. Not really into the culture, I guess, starting from the beginning of this tournament, but yeah, trying to pick up on anything I can.

Q. You went to Wesleyan and you played against my high school and you were just a high school stud. And now years later, you're literally representing your country. When you think about that trajectory, is there anything that is surprising to you, or was this your mindset all along?

DRUW JONES: Of course you want to play at the highest level every single day. Just to be able to be out here is an honor.