MLB : Dodgers vs Red Sox Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Red Sox pregame 2 they don't want to play every day, they want to sit on the bench some and only play twice, three times a Q. How do you keep sharp when you're not week. So I'd like to play as much as possible, but I get playing? to play for the . And it's one of those BROCK HOLT: Just work on stuff during BP, stay in the things from early on AC told me, he's like, "Hey, you cage. It's hard at times to come off the bench, know, you're going to be a big part of this team but especially late in games when you're facing guys with you're not going to get to play every day." plus velocity, good breaking pitches. But you do your best to stay ready any way you can, whether it's hitting And it's about understanding your role, and leaving in the cage, whether it's is watching video. your ego at the door. Obviously I feel like I'm a good player and can be an everyday player, I feel like. But But AC and Ron do a good job of letting us know what that goes back to me getting to play for this team and they're thinking, certain situations where we might being a part of this. And I think everyone in the come in. So that makes it easier to prepare, to come clubhouse would say the same thing. This is a special into a situation in game. group and we're very fortunate to be where we're at. We're all in this together. So whoever is out there, But it's just something that I've kind of been doing for a we're going to be pulling for them, and the guys who while now. Not playing every day. But getting in there aren't, we're going to be ready to go when our name is quite often. So it's just kind of keep doing what you're called. doing. Q. What has impressed you most about Andrew Q. You just said it's hard sometimes coming off the Benintendi and what do you think his ceiling is? bench late in a game. So what do you think of what BROCK HOLT: Yeah, Beni never ceases to amaze I Nuñez did last night? think anyone. He's just a really good baseball player. BROCK HOLT: I loved it. Yeah, I loved it. Obviously He can do everything there is on a baseball field you're not going to a three- homer every time, except for maybe throw. Sorry, Beni (laughter). I but he knew what the deal was. It goes back to AC always give him a hard time about his arm. kind of telling him what's going on, "You're not starting today but be ready," and he was ready. To see his He works hard. He's a young kid who has had success preparation during the game to get to that point, hitting every step of the way. We're lucky to have him. But he in the cage, watching video, it was professional. And works hard. You're not going to see too much that was a huge hit for us. excitement out of him, you've seen some in the postseason, and that fires me up because he's locked Whenever you can go into a game and impact a game in right now. He's locked in and he's -- I don't think he's like that with one at-bat, you've done your job. reached anywhere close to his ceiling. I don't know Obviously you're not going to do that every time. But what that ceiling is, but I know he's going to be a good try to put together a good at-bat and he did that for us player for a long, long time. The Boston Red Sox did a last night. good job of drafting him. He's a big reason why we're at where we're at. Q. Brad Stevens of the Celtics used you as an example of a guy buying into the system and Q. Players obviously have their own ideas about maybe putting his own personal needs or desires how they should be used or when they should play. aside for the good of the team. And you guys have When you see a manager like Alex, who seems to all done that with AC. Can you talk about what it make a lot of the right moves a lot of the time, takes to buy into that and how AC has gotten you when you guys as players seeing that, what does guys to do that. that do for his credibility in the clubhouse or just to BROCK HOLT: Yeah, I think it's easy. From my point of know he seems to have a good feel with what is view it's easy because we're all trying to do the same going on with you guys? thing. I think anyone would be lying if they told you that BROCK HOLT: Yeah, I've heard Alex say a hundred

Rev #1 by #178 at 2018-10-24 21:12:00 GMT page 1 of 4 times it's because we're talented. Don't take credit The pitching staff, we've had guys come up from - away from him, he's good at what he does, and he's A and help us out. Brasier who came up kind of early got reasons why he does things. And I've said this on, middle of the season, and been lights out for us in before, he's one of the smartest baseball people I've the bullpen. That's what it takes. We've got a 40-man been around. He knows the game in and out. He grew roster for a reason and you need help from everyone. up around the game. He played it for a long time and he's seen it from all angles. Q. Go back to what you said about Benintendi. What kind of scouting report would you offer on He's got a method to the madness, and the strings he's Mookie and also on Jackie Bradley? pulling are for a reason. And I think we have success BROCK HOLT: As far as how to pitch to him? in those situations because of him letting us know beforehand what the situation might be, where we're Q. What kind of players they are, how good they going to be used. So, yes, we have a lot of good could be and individually. players but he knows what he's doing. BROCK HOLT: I think Mookie has proven how good he can be. In my opinion, and probably a lot of other Q. How significant has your bullpen's performance people's opinions he's going to win the MVP this year. this postseason been to get where you're at right So I don't feel like that one needs a whole lot of now, three wins away? explaining. BROCK HOLT: Yeah, it's been huge. They've been lights out. I mean, I think we might have been the only Jackie is the same way. Obviously everyone talks ones who believed that they could do what they're about his defense. We all know how good he is in doing. center field and probably going to win the Gold Glove this year, well deserved. But offensively he's gotten big We've got a lot of good arms in the bullpen. They've hits for us over and over again. He's a guy that we proved that this postseason. They've kept us in have all the confidence in the world in, obviously, games, they've kept other teams from scoring when we playing center field but when you've got a guy like that take the lead, and that's what you gotta do. All these hitting in the bottom third of your order who can drive in games are critical. Every run is critical. And they've runs, who can get big hits for you and can steal bases done a good job of shutting the door when we need for you, we've got a lot of good players and he's one of them to shut the door. And that's the reason why we're them. Those three guys in the outfield, doesn't get in the position we're at. much better.

Q. In Spring Training I guess Alex was really Q. Have you heard whether through social media or conscious about not overworking the starting in any other way from anyone at Taco Bell today? pitchers, and even some of the relievers, and And what would it take for you to give their product during the season making sure that the everyday another try? guys got some rest. How did you all balance that, BROCK HOLT: Oh, man, I don't think I'll be trying Taco getting as rested and fresh for October with the Bell. I'm sorry, Taco Bell. I mean, that's just my need to win in the moment? Was it something you opinion. I'm sure a lot of other people love it. I deleted all understood as it was happening? Twitter, I'm sure if I had Twitter I would hear something, BROCK HOLT: Yeah, I mean, I think that's important. I but I deleted Twitter last year. I don't know if Taco Bell think it's important to give guys breaks. The baseball has an Instagram but they haven't messaged me or season is long. And I think we all knew that going in. I tagged me. think he preached that in Spring Training. He said, we're going to give guys days off. And I think having as I apologize to Taco Bell. I'm sure a lot of people will many talented players as we do made that easier for get their free tacos, though. him to give guys like Bogey a day off or Beni or Mookie or J.D., even. Q. You've been here in Boston for a few years now, and obviously this offense reached another level, So whenever you have a deep group I think it makes and J.D. Martinez has a lot to do with it. In terms of that part easier. And to be a good team, to be a the way you guys game-planned and all the data championship team you've got to have help from that's given to you guys, and how it's conveyed, everyone. And we kind of knew that going in and we've has that been different this year in terms of how it's done a good job of doing that. The guys who fill in conveyed and what's being conveyed? have done a good job of producing. And obviously our BROCK HOLT: I think yes. I mean, we've had main guys have been really good, as well. meetings before this year. Obviously we go over pitchers. We go over the team that we're playing. But

Rev #1 by #178 at 2018-10-24 21:12:00 GMT page 2 of 4 this year we've -- before every series we would go over for the way he's managed this team. But just the majority of the team and then we go over -- we looking back on John Farrell, winning the World have a little hitter's meeting before each game, I just Series championship in 2013, two divisional titles, got back from it, where we go over that day's starter. what would you say is the difference between the And we kind of go over plan of attack that day against two? that certain guy, and everyone kind of talks. Guys who BROCK HOLT: You know, for me personally it's have had success against him, how you see the ball, communication. Being able to know what's going on, what it does. And I think that's helped guys kind of what's going through his head, when we're playing, have a better plan going into the game, a better when we're not playing, certain situations where we approach going into the game, kind of what we're might come in during the game. It just makes it so looking for as a group. And then how we think he's much easier as a team to go out and perform. There going to attack certain guys and stuff like that. wasn't a whole lot of communication in the past.

So the more prepared you can be going into a game, And just kind of the vibe that he brings, the looseness. the better off you're going to be, the more chances of Not being too far removed from playing himself, he success you're going to have. So has done understands the game is hard. And he believes in us. a great job, , our two hitting coaches have I just think the overall vibe that he brings to the team, to done great with that. J.D. kind of brought that over. the clubhouse, is so positive that it's easy for us to go He's the study man. So he watches a lot of video and out and kind of do what we've been doing. kind of tells -- he helps out the right-handed hitters. And then we've got and guys like that Q. Curious to get your read on two things: First of who can help the left-handed guys of what we're trying all, the organization's trust in you through all the to do off of a certain guy, and how we think he's going ups and downs and your journey over the last to attack the righties and the lefties. couple of years has certainly been a unique one. And secondly, what do you think of the term "utility Q. Today's pregame ceremony, the 2004 Red Sox, "? all of them with their World Series rings, will be BROCK HOLT: Yeah, I mean, I had a rough two years throwing out the first pitch. How inspiring is that to leading up to this one. Pretty good the two years the players and the impact on you? before. I always felt like when healthy, I can be a good BROCK HOLT: Yeah, I mean, that's huge. Everyone's player and help us win. And I feel like they felt like that, goal starting out is to win a World Series. And to say too. It was just a matter of, are you going to get that you're a world champion, especially in a city like healthier or are you not? And they gave me a chance Boston is huge. to stick around and get to the point where I'm at now. And so for me it makes me want to go out and be So we're all trying to follow in those guys' footsteps. better and do better for this organization, for this team. They were able to do it. We're trying to get there. So I think that will bring a lot of energy to us and into the So I can't thank them enough for not quitting on me, fans here tonight. because there were times when I wanted to quit on myself. So that means a lot. I mean, obviously there's Q. As someone who's played all over the field, how nowhere else I'd rather be than right here and thankful do you think Mookie would fare if he ends back at to be able to put on this uniform every day. second at any point at Dodger Stadium? BROCK HOLT: I said this at media day, I don't doubt And the term "utility infielder" just kind of followed me anything anymore of what Mookie can do. I'm sure if around for a while. I'd like to be known as a second he plays second, he'll probably be the best second baseman or whatever, but being a has baseman in baseball. He's just one of those guys who given me the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues, can do everything. It's a little frustrating at times. He and that's always been a goal of mine. It's allowed me used to play second, obviously. So he's got a little to be where I'm at right now. It's allowed me to have background. the success that I've had, have the failures that I've had. And it's allowed me to see the game from a lot of It's been a while. So watching him take ground balls, different angles and a lot of different positions. It's he's a little shaky. But he wasn't a right fielder, and he something not a lot of people can say. turned himself into the best right fielder in baseball. If that's the case, if he plays second base, I have no So I'm thankful for everything that "utility player" has doubt that he'll do a great job. brought. But you talk to a utility player, and we all think we can play every day and be a pretty good player. Q. Obviously Alex has received a lot of accolades But, like I said, if I was that, I wouldn't be here where

Rev #1 by #178 at 2018-10-24 21:12:00 GMT page 3 of 4 I'm at. So I'm thankful for that.

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