Pitchers José Berríos and Mychal Givens confirmed their participation with TeamPUR in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).2023.
General manager Joey Solá met separately with the pitchers this Saturday.
Solá’s meeting with Berríos and Givens was in the state of Florida. “From day one we took on the task of working and putting together a team to once again be competing for the championship. We are going to continue talking and sharing ideas so that team chemistry is maintained. That is my commitment”, Solá reiterated.
Givens, of the New York Mets, confirmed his desire to defend the colors of Puerto Rico.
“My inspiration is Roberto Clemente. Playing with Francisco Lindor and Edwin Díaz motivated me to play with Puerto Rico. They have helped me to identify myself with the culture and my father has also instilled it in me”, expressed the pitcher.
Givens’ Puerto Rican roots come from his grandmother and great-grandmother. The 32-year-old pitcher was a member of the United States team, champions of the last edition of the WBC.
“I want to use my experience in Major League Baseball and in the past World Baseball Classic to help young pitchers keep their cool. Since 2013 when I was in the Minor League I watched Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Their chemistry is seen on another level,” Givens said.
For his part, Berríos was enthusiastic about being part of the Puerto Rican team again. “It is an honor and a pride to do what I am passionate about. When you put on the uniform of the country it is something that becomes very special,” he said.
The Toronto Blue Jays pitcher applauded the appointment of Yadier Molina as manager.
“Having Yadier Molina as a manager is very positive news. The reality is that we play for the team, for our land, but having him as a manager gives us enthusiasm because we know that he has given everything for this team”, he highlighted.
Berríos also praised the initiative of the FBPR to establish direct communication with each member of the team.
“Joey Solá has taken on the position of General Manager with great pride and enthusiasm. Visiting each other and creating that communication is paramount to creating chemistry. That is the primary goal, to be united and have that communication to create trust and build a very special group. If 2017 was a special year, this will be much better”, he indicated.
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