Wily Mo Pena pitching in

 

Yesterday I Twitpic’d this photo from pregame in Anaheim. Wily Mo Pena had asked for a recorder because he wanted to interview Alex Liddi before his big league debut. Michael Pineda got in on the act asking for my notebook and pen. I received several requests to hear the interview which I am including here. Be warned, it is in Spanish. A special thanks to Fernando Alcala from Media Relations who provided the transcript below.

To hear the interview in Spanish, click here.

WMP: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. We find ourselves with the Italian Alex Liddi who finds himself in his first game tonight. First of all, how do you feel about the information that was given to you about being promoted to the Big Leagues?

AL: I was very happy that I accomplished my lifelong dream of being in the Major Leagues and today I have the opportunity to realize that dream and start a game here against Anaheim.

WMP: That’s great. How does your father, mother and town that you grew up in feel about you being the first Italian born and developed player in the Big Leagues?

AL: My family and all of my friends are very proud of me because I have reached my goal, a goal that all my friends and the ones who I played with wished they had accomplished.

WMP: It’s a dream that we have all gone through, I went through it and my brother [Michael] Pineda is living it this year with all the emotion. We know that you put together a good season in the minor leagues, and this year, thanks to God you’ve had the honor to reach the Major Leagues. Tonight will be your debut; how do you feel about this game that will be very important for you and your career?

AL: Well, I feel a little nervous but I think that is normal and I’m just going to try to play the game that I know how to play and do the little things to help the team win.

WMP: Can we get a special salute to the people in Seattle and in Italy that will be watching your debut. Send a warm salute to those that have followed your career from the beginning.

AL: I want to salute my family and everybody that has followed me and I expect to put on a good show.

WMP: Now a salute in Italian for the people in Seattle and for your mom and dad who are going to listen to this interview, tonight, well not tonight but tomorrow, a salute for them.

AL: [Speaks Italian].

WMP: Ladies and gentlemen, we still find ourselves with Pineda and Liddi, we haven’t started playing yet but it is a game we’re all waiting for. What do we want to ask Liddi?

MP: [Too shy to ask a question].

WMP: Just one question, ask him how he feels with the team, how he sees the Big Leagues, his experience, his day from yesterday to today, how has that experience been, how have the guys treated him. Felix has relaxed him but how does he feel with the Manager, coaching staff?

AL: I felt very good. Thank God I know a lot of the ballplayers and I feel good about being here. I have a lot of friends so the first days were very good.

WMP: Ladies and gentlemen, that has been everything for Liddi, thank you very much and we wish you the best of luck in today’s game and going forward.