Ron Wotus on Italy’s Historic Win Over Team USA and Righetti Reunion

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From the team, Italy dug out from the game that shacked the baseball world last night.

Oh, by the way, he's got another one tonight against Mexico.

And it's just always great to talk to Ron Waters under any circumstances.

But given the history, this is extra special.

So, whoa, we want to thank you a million for for hoppin' on on a busy time with Murphy and Marcus.

And hey, va bene, buddy, va bene.

Congratulations on the big win.

How are you?

Hey, morning, Ron.

Hey, ciao, ciao, guys.

How you doing today?

Bonjourna, bonjourna.

Bonjourna.

There you go.

I just saw a clip of Vinnie Pasquantino entering the clubhouse in Yellen.

Where's the bleep and wine?

So was there some red wine last night, Ron?

Yeah, well, look, Vinnie, Vinnie's the team captain and he gets everybody together after the game.

And he gives a bottle of wine to the player of the game and the pitcher of the game.

So, you know, these guys are having fun.

You know, they like their wine.

They like the espresso that you've seen a lot about that.

But the biggest thing is they like playing baseball and they're playing really well.

Yeah, with a win over Team USA, definitely worth the celebration to pull out the bottles of wine.

You guys have another game today, but Ron, before we even get to that, just talked to us about how big of a moment this was for Italian baseball.

I mean, it's got to be the biggest win in Italian baseball history and what it means back home for everybody back in Italy.

Yeah, you're right, Marcus.

It means the world, you know, I was told by several people in the federation that travel with us.

Basically, the front office that this is the biggest win in Italian baseball history and to do it against USA with, you know, all the theater and to a to a dream team that they're calling it in course.

It boiled down to judge at the plate as a tying run.

You couldn't have scripted it any better to pull off that win.

It's just tremendous. I know everybody, Francisco, Sirelli and everybody on the team and then Italy and involve with this club trying to put, you know, Italy's baseball program on the map.

I done so last night and they're all extremely excited.

Well, before we get into the pico's of the game and Michael Lorenzo and all that good stuff is just tell us about your connection.

I know you've done some interviews where you talk it in our great buddy, David Getty.

We texted him to and everybody, you know, giants fans everywhere, love seeing your two faces in the dugout.

I mean, all it is is championships when we look at you guys.

Tell us about your connection because you joked about the Polish last name.

Tell us what was your connection to getting on this team.

Well, yeah, my dad sides Polish, both my grandparents are from Poland, but both my grandparents on my mom's side are from Italy from out to more.

It's South of Bari and Italian culture has always been a big part of my life with my mom and the way she cooked, et cetera, et cetera.

But I don't think they would have went after the Polish Italian if Ned Coletti was not the general manager.

So, you know, Ned became the general manager for this club last year, last spring, and he started recruiting players and people way back then.

So, this is Coletti's collection of Italians that he wanted to get into this WBC and of course, in connection with the Italian Federation Marko, our leader there.

But so, that's the connection. When Ned asked me to do it, you know, there's no way I could turn it down.

I mean, you know, I'm so proud of my mom. She's 89.

I have a lot of cousins in Italy. I've been over there a couple of times and in WhatsApp with them and spend time with them and they're all excited.

So, it's really special. It's a special thing for me to be involved with the Italian baseball and to be in this tournament.

Ron, we know that Italy is a country that's known more for their soccer athletes and baseball players.

So, what have you heard back from like the fan reaction back in Italy? Like, is the country invested in the world baseball classic? Like, how big of a moment was this in the sports world out in Italy?

Well, Marcus, I think this is going to make a difference. You know, you're right. You know, soccer's number one, but Francisco and Marco and the baseball Federation in Italy.

This is a chance for them to bring it to more prominence. And, you know, a lot of the players that are in Italy right now.

I think we have four Italian-born players. You know, they play. They have their league, matter of fact, back when I retired years ago.

I almost went to Anzio Beach to play in Italy before I decided to take a coaching job.

But the San Francisco Giants and the minor leagues. But, you know, when they see this happen, it helps get those players more excited because a lot of them back there, you know, they don't ever see the opportunity to make this WBC team to contribute.

So, very few do with all the Italian Americans that are involved. So, it's a huge moment for Italian baseball.

But having said that, and everybody said it last night for Francisco Sirvelli as well and the coaching staff, look, we have work to do. I mean, it's a big game tonight against Mexico.

There's a possibility we can end up, you know, three and one here if we lose. And even if we lose and not advance, which would be really, really frustrating because we'd have the same record as United States and Mexico.

The great Ron voters, three times Super Bowl, three time World Series champion.

Hey, there you go. Super Bowl is if you wanted to add it to the resume. We know we've been talking about all these kids and we talked about Pasquantino and Jack Caglioni and Jacob Marci, John Birdie, Dom Kenzone, Dante Nore.

These are all guys American guys. These are all Americans who play in Major League Baseball, either on the 25 man roster or in the 40 man roster.

But there is one true Italian, right? Sam Aldigarri is he the he's there's I guess Gabriel Quattrini to might be one more Claudio Scotty. I guess there's a few, but Aldigarri is the most decorated, right?

He's been in the first Italian born player to make his own will be to be. He's sort of the poster boy as it were because he's actually from Italy, grew up in Italy and now his plan in the States.

Well, he's probably the most prominent best player that has come out of Italy, but like you said, we have four Italian born players and they have all contributed really, really well, but Aldigarri obviously pitching into Major leagues and the job he did in the first game.

I mean, he's got really, really good stuff. So yeah, he's more in the spotlight than the other guys, but you know, I got to tell you just not the Italian players, but there's a lot of good players in this WBC, whether for Mexico or Great Britain.

That aren't affiliated with major league teams and it's just it's interesting to me because I've seen some really good players in this tournament.

Ron, after seeing the way that team Italy swung the best yesterday against Team USA, has Tony Vitelotex you yet to bring that espresso machine back to the Giants dugout?

Tony and I we've been in conversation through text a little bit. He sent me a picture of the espresso yesterday after the game.

And you know, he has he has one player in particular that's on a roster and that's Fisher. Yeah, you play started one game.

He went to Tennessee and he was drafted last year, Andrew Fisher, third baseman and he hasn't had much playing time yet, but you know, he's watching, he's watching fish and what he's going to do.

And he's definitely watching the Italian team and I know if he had an opportunity to be involved with this, he'd love to do it as well.

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Yeah, we're talking to Ron Wilson. Let's get into the game last night. You guys go into that game and yeah, I mean, yes, of course it's Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber and all that stuff.

Had you heard your good buddy because you coached Mark Dorosa with the Giants in 2010 when he was a World Series champ.

Had you heard his pregame comments and had word filtered into your dugout that team USA thought they were through to the quarters?

Yeah, I didn't hear it till after the game. You know, we got our heads down trying to prepare for these games and learn all these players.

US obviously was easier than, you know, Brazil and Great Britain. So I hadn't heard I heard it a lot now after the game.

I'm sure a few of the guys heard it, but you know, these guys are on a mission. You know, USA, they know how important it is to beat them.

I mean, that's the big game, right? You get up for the big game. So I don't think that had anything to do with it, but these guys are just focused to do the best they can in the win.

And as I said, you know, that was a great sell of the great win and they celebrated last night for a little bit, but they know it's at stake and, you know, we need to win this game today.

So we can advance just staying on that for a second, given how well you know, Dorosa, who, by the way, could be on the Italian team.

Do you feel for him a little bit right now? He's getting barbecued coast to coast.

Do you there's a, I mean, I'm sure you love do you are I'm sure he's a buddy of yours, right? And sure you you have great love for him.

Do you feel for him right now?

Well, look, we talked a lot before the game. I like the row. He's he's always been personable and has always been an upfront guy and it just comes with the territory.

You know, I do feel for him, but it comes with the territory. It's it's not easy, you know.

I remember Dic Deets, my A ball, my A ball coach back and played for the Giants. Great Dic Deets.

I always used to say loose lip sync ships. And with the media today, you know, you're better off not saying much, but it's hard.

You know, everybody has a personality. You want to talk. You want to say things. And I'm sure he's regretting having let that out at that point in time.

And he is a good friend and I wish him nothing but best.

Yeah, a few more minutes here with Ron Wotis on the Omega sign ahead of his final game of group play tonight.

Team Italy versus team Mexico and Ron. We've spent a lot of time this morning trying to figure out all these tie breakers.

Now you pointed out you guys are in the best position. If you win, you're in.

But do you factor in any of these tie breaker scenarios about team score and runs? What it means for Mexico? What it means for USA or what is the strategy going to today's game?

Well, it's a little bit difficult. I mean, the strategy is obviously win, but I heard today.

You know, if we lose this game, you know, in Mexico scores five runs or more, we are out, which is really, really frustrating because we'll have the same record.

And it's so complicated to figure, you know, the runs, the runs allowed and how many innings you played, I guess they take that in consideration, whether you hit in the bottom of the ninth, et cetera, or had a pitch in the bottom of the ninth.

So we're in a tough spot. I mean, you know, we can we can easily, you know, be tied with everybody, but the key for us is not to let Mexico score five runs if we lose the game.

And that's, you know, that's a difficult task to manage a game with that thought in your head. So it enters into it just like all the other things enter into this tournament.

You know, you can only use pictures for so many innings. Guys can't go back to backs. And the other thing that hurts us is looks like we lost Kyle Teal last night are starting catcher who's been one of our better players to a hamstring pole.

So we'll be able to replace him with a backup guy. So we have our hands full, but these guys are passionate. You know, the Italians, they'll be ready.

What are the pitching rules? How long can Aaron Nola go tonight?

65, 65 pitches is the max. If you started a batter, say you got, you know, you're in a middle of a bat. You got 64 pitches.

You can start the next batter at 64 and go further. If you, if you, you know, started the batter before 65 pitch.

Well, you're talking to every little league all star coach out there, man, we monitor that stuff by the pitch. So yeah, so you got so he can go.

And Lorenzo went four and two third yesterday. And was there a point in the dugout where it started to turn when you guys are like this is this is turning our way.

I mean, I'm sure there was no like gripping fear. We mentioned that all your lineup yesterday are guys who have either played in the bigs or knocking on the door of the bigs.

So you guys weren't like terrified of the team USA, but still was it the three runs in the second inning? Was it the two in the fourth inning? When did you guys start to when did the dugout start to believe?

Well, I think right from the beginning, when we got the three runs, look, it's so much easier to play with a lead. And when you get down to a team like that, it becomes even more difficult as the game progresses.

People press, you try to do too much, but our guys were confident. They were, they were very comfortable, you know, because that, you know, we got that big lead. That, that was great.

I mean, who would anticipated, you know, getting an eight run lead or seven run lead that they would come back, but they could score five runs in a heartbeat that line up so good.

So, you know, the guys scratched out runs. We hit some home runs, but the big thing was the pitching, you know, I think I think rags and Alessandro and survey, they all made great decisions on the pitching because that lineup keeps coming.

And we only have one left hander and I had all those lefties on the bench with they shot out there. So to hold them off late in the game was the thing because, you know, they were coming and they were coming and we didn't necessarily have all the weapons we wanted at the back end of the game to match up with them.

And that, that same thing will happen tonight because some of these guys are two last night. Some of our best pitchers will not be able to throw tonight. So, you know, you just have to play the game. Look, be in the underdog and not being 100% doesn't mean you can't win the game.

Absolutely not. Well, in baseball is such a crazy sport like that. I just, by the way, before we get out of here, I had the great fortune to cover in the Oakland days in 99 and 2000. Frank Manakino was on that team.

Staten Island's own and he used to on Sunday mornings. This is my favorite thing about Manakino Sunday mornings and home games. He took over the boom box and it was Sinatra Sunday mornings.

So I'm wondering is he is he getting is he playing some Sinatra for you guys to set the mood? How are we doing?

Well, Frankie sets the mood. He's not playing a Sinatra because the players are playing Sinatra. They're playing Bocelli Sinatra.

They got they got everything going on. But Frankie, you know, he's in the room because Frankie, the Staten Island King, he has a lot to say and he keeps guys loosened.

And yeah, just just how you you you're thinking about him. That's who that man is and he's great for the team. So the boys are playing some Sinatra in there.

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. How could you not?

Well, listen, well, listen, when do you do back in Scotts? Well, actually, you're just going to go as long as you can. Right?

You might be in Miami in a couple of days, right? Right.

If we if we win today, we're off tomorrow and then we play the next round here in Houston, one game in Houston, one more.

And if we win that game, then we head to Miami. So do you tell Tony V. Listen, I'll see you when I see you. I got some games to win.

Yeah, that's right. He knows that he's pulling for Italy. So he won't mind if I'm not around. They don't they don't need me.

I love it. Well, listen, thanks so much for taking our call. We appreciate it. I love hearing your voice and it's so much fun.

And hey, whether it's wine Sinatra, you guys just playing some good baseball.

You know, like we said, yeah, they're all American kids, but it's resonating back in Italy on some level.

And on some level, this is going to sort of change the narrative a little bit for those Italian kids growing up.

So we appreciate it. Well, we will definitely be rooting for you guys tonight. And thanks for hopping on.

All right, guys, thanks. Great being with you. There he is. One of the all-time greats. Ron Wode is the Polish.

Well, that's my kids because Candace is Polish. Then you got your boy here Murphy, the Italian, right? That's on my mom's side.

So that's why, yeah, that's why he's so good looking. It makes no it makes perfect sense.

Oh, man. How about Frankie Manichino with the he said he goes, no, Frank's not playing the Sinatra.

The players are playing the Sinatra. So you want to do a little butchelly time to say goodbye. That's the anthem.

That's like the anthem. Your generation has adopted, right? If you guys want to pour a little red wine into.

Yeah, yeah, this is the Sarah Brightman. You guys know this one. This is in step brothers.

Oh, these are the Catalina line mixer. Oh, they bet. Oh, yeah, they start singing. Yeah, no way.

Yeah, well, I've seen start to finish. Oh, yeah, it's one of the best scenes from step brothers.

I've only seen it on cable bits and pieces. You haven't seen step brothers start to finish.

Dude, what are we doing here? What a generation? What did OG Murr, Florenton days?

Yes, rejoined with the Will Ferrell step brothers version on the other side.

I would love to hear it, man. All time. Are we looking for one?

I don't want to offend our friends from Team Mexico, because we know we got a lot of Mexican Americans in California.

Sergio Rolo is a great friend of ours, but come on, man. My grandparents are from Italy.

Yes. And if Italy wins, USA advances. It's as simple as that.

Mexico Dad Peter, who is a Jersey angry Jersey guy, is pissed. He says they're all American players.

He says nothing to do with Italy. This is a stupid f-ing story.

That's what he says. Damn. How do you feel about that?

That's a little pride in your country. A little pride in your homeland.

Larry Krueger. We'll see what he says about Sarah Brightman and Butchelli next on these sports later.