Um, how quickly were you able to adapt, and what have they been able to do to help you?

Honestly, it's pretty seamless.

Like, when I got here, a lot of things that I, you know, felt like I wanted to work on and get better at, and the stuff that I'm still working at, we were all, kind of all on the same page of what those were and really just trying to get my timing a little bit earlier.

You know, when I'm early and my timing's early, I'm able to get to, get to all the pitches I wanna get to, and, you know, I'm able to kinda clear the barrel the way that I want to and, you know, that opens up that pull side and that power that way that I know that I have, limiting some of the mishits.

So really just, you know, since I've showed up, it's been about how to get the job done, you know, what it takes to win a game.

And really, when the focus is external on trying to win, um, a lot of things actually clean up, to be honest with you.

So just focusing on every day to show up and trying to find a way to get the job done has made it easier really for me at the plate to do my job.

What were your memories of that in, in terms of shaping you as a player in, in that first experience in the Major Leagues, and then growing as a player?

You come to a new team, it's a new staff, and people with new eyes on you, um, how quickly were you able to adapt, and what have they been able to do to help you?

Honestly, it's pretty seamless.

Like, when I got here, a lot of things that I, you know, felt like I wanted to work on and get better at and the stuff that I'm still working at, we were all, kinda all on the same page of what those were and really just trying to get my timing a little bit earlier.

You know, when I'm early and my timing's early, I'm able to get to, get to all the pitches I wanna get to, and, you know, I'm able to kinda clear the barrel the way that I want to, and, you know, that opens up that pull side and that power that way that I know that I have, limiting some of the mishits.

So really just, you know, since I've showed up, it's been about how to get the job done, you know, what it takes to win a game, and really when the focus is external on trying to win, um, a lot of things actually clean up, to be honest with you.

So just focusing on every day to show up and trying to find a way to get the job done has made it easier really for me at the plate to do my job.

What were your memories of that in, in terms of shaping you as a player and, and that first experience in the Major Leagues, and then growing as a player?

Yeah, 100%.

How much did you know about Cleveland just having played them in the past as an opponent?

Yes, obviously, you know, I'm used to being in the first base dugout.

So, you know, coming and showing up here, this is a team that knows how to play the game.

And they take pride in who they are and their identity and that they're going to work and they're going to go out and put the best product in the field that they can.

And every time that we played Cleveland with the Angels, I was always here.

And we knew that we were going to be in for a tough series.

So, really to be a part of this, to be a part of a chase where we're trying to win every game that we can and make that push is really cool.

Where have you developed the most you think and what's been a big part of your success lately?

Um, how much did you know about Cleveland just having played them in the past as an opponent?

Yes.

Obviously, you know, I'm used to being on the, uh, in the first base dugout, so, uh, you know, coming, showing up here, this is a team that knows how to play the game and they, uh, they take pride in who they are and their identity and that they're gonna work and they're gonna go out and put the best product on the field that they can.

And every time that we played Cleveland, uh, with the Angels, I was always here and, and we knew that we were gonna be in for a tough series.

So really to be a part of this, to be a part of a chase where we're trying to win every game that we can and, and make that push is, is really cool.

And, um, you know, I know that this area cares a lot about the Guardians and, and what they bring to the table, and I'm glad to be here and a part of it.

Um, where have you developed the most, you think, a- and what's been a big part of your success lately?

Really, honestly, it's just committing to who I am as a player and my routine.

Mm-hmm.

You know, "You need to come to the cage and watch him do his early work.

You know, watch him do his work on the field, and just kind of be a fly on the wall to kinda see what it takes." And the same thing when Sho was here too, was like these guys were just, they did the same thing at the same time every day.

[laughs]

That type of, that type of situation.

And then in August I got called up.

Um, so I was flew into Seattle and played, and that was just a, that was a wake-up call for sure.

It was like, wow, you know what I mean? I'm in the big leagues and running out there.

Figuring out how to take that next step defensively and rob a home run, uh, what are the things that you have to do to get a home run robbery right?

Yeah, I mean, really, like, some of the better plays I feel like I've made, and I've taken back quite a few at this point, you know, thinking about it, but it, it's really the positioning.

Um, the positioning and just, you know, getting back quick.

Um, you know, during the Seattle game, a lot of the shifts that I had were, you know, we shifted very well against them.

Uh, we knew kinda where to play before the ball was hit, and it gave me an advantage to, you know, get back to my spot and, and, and be able to make those plays.

And so it's a little bit of, you know, intuition of knowing who's up, what the situation is, where this ball is likely to get hit.

I think that's kind of- You know, right off the, right off the top just knowing, you know, who's up and what they do.

What do people not understand about robbing home runs?

Just how, where are you in your career as it continues to progress? How do, how do you feel?

Yeah, I mean, I think one of the things as I've gotten older in this game and kinda grown in this game and watching other players, I've gotten to play with some Hall of Famers.

Obviously me and Mike playing side by side for this many years now has been so good for my development and just being better as a player.

Um, Tori Hunter, somebody too that's been by my side throughout this whole process to this point.

Really just learn how to play the game, how to be a gamer.

You know, these, these past couple of days, we've had pitching duels where the pitchers have definitely dominated, and I feel like a couple of years ago, I would've kinda caved under that situation of having the pitcher dominate the game and obviously like a game like last night where I come out and I'm able to make defensive plays and, you know, help the team in other aspects and whatever it takes, whether it's base running, defense.

If offense is rolling that game, you just learn how to compete in every aspect of the game.

Do, where are you on that? Do you see that happening? 'Cause the more they use it and the more we see stuff, it looks like it'll probably wind up in that spot where they might use it all the time.

And when you're standing in the bleachers holding the glove up, and I know that photo's been iconic, like I, I think someone told me four million views already, um, at some point are you like, "Holy shit, I just made this play"?

[laughs] It was pretty crazy.

So, um, the first one that was hit, it was a lot like a play that I made a year ago where I was kind of, you know, at the yellow line.

Obviously we have, you know, in right field the elevated fence with the, um, you know, it has the line, and you try to block everything above it, 'cause anything over that's a home run.

So I got back there pretty good.

I was on a deeper shift, so I was already closer towards the wall.

Um, and then I jumped and I was like, "Man, I just made that play." You know what I mean? But it was a play that I've made before or close to it.

One, do you know how his hand is? And two, does your body feel different in just these first, like, week and a half, two weeks of games playing right field compared to center? Because that was the big talk, that Mike wanted to go back to center after playing right some last year.