Nolan McLean on excitement of playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic
Mets right hander Nolan McLean tells SNY's Michelle Margaux that joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic has been a "whirlwind."
Video Transcript
Nolan, what has the last couple days been like for you?
Yeah, I mean, it's kind of been a whirlwind.
but from a body standpoint, I'm feeling good and headed in the right direction, so I'm excited to be here.
How do you feel physically and mentally?
Yeah, I mean, physically, I feel really good.
mentally, it's just a matter of getting, getting a time right of going from spring training mornings to now playing at, what would be 8:00 Eastern Time.
but I think adrenaline will kick in pretty fast out here, so It was announced that if you guys make to the championship, that you'd be starting that game.
How did you learn that fact?
yeah, Dero called me and just kind of mentioned it to me.
obviously there's a lot of baseball left to be played, but it's, it's, it's a big honor and, I mean, just hopefully we can get there and I get, get the ball.
You've only made a handful of starts in the big leagues.
What is the closest thing that you've experienced personally that you could compare this to?
Oh, I have no idea.
I don't know.
I guess I'll let you know after tonight.
I mean, I'm just excited to watch all these, these studs go out there and, and compete and, I mean, I'm just gonna be like a, like a little kid over here in the dugout, so it's gonna be really fun.
Whose brain are you most excited to pick?
Probably Kershaw.
But even some of the hitters, I think.
I always like diving into their minds a little bit.
I think it helps me as a pitcher just kind of understand what guys are looking for.
I'm sure they won't tell me all their secrets, but yeah, I'm just everybody, honestly.
I know you just got here.
What has the reception been like from the guys?
Oh, these guys are unbelievable.
every one of them's been checking on me to see, like, "Hey, how are you doing?
You feeling better?"
and Cal said it.
It's like, it just feels like we're back in little league doing travel ball stuff again.
So it's, and he hit it right on the head with that.
So he's, it's just been a lot of fun so far.
You have Andy Pettit as your pitching coach.
What conversations have you had with him so far?
Not a ton since being here, just 'cause our schedule's kind of been all over the place, but, just on the phone.
another guy that I can't wait to pick his brain if, if we have some time to just, I mean, the experience, World Series winner, I mean, it's just like, it's unbelievable the staff we have on top of the players as well.
