MLB World Series: Dodgers vs Red Sox Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Brock Holt 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 Boston Red Sox. 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 hit a three-run 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 Triple- 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.