World Baseball Classic: Semifinals
Sunday, 15 March, 2026
Miami, Florida, USA
LoanDepot Park
Team Italy
Jakob Marsee
Workout Day
Q. Jakob, I remember that in Jupiter we were talking about you joining Team Italy and how Cervelli as a manager was going to be passionate and how he was going to transmit you guys that energy. So what can you say about how Francisco has been with you guys, and especially if you see any similarities between him and the way you play as well?
JAKOB MARSEE: Yeah, I think he's done an amazing job of just kind of letting us be ourselves, and also like bringing energy that we kind of feed off of and vice versa.
I feel like he's one of the first guys, when you're running, he's just as excited as all of us, so just seeing that.
Just his energy day to day, being able to talk to him and learn from him and everything has been super fun.
Q. Just wanted to ask you just your thoughts on just what the experience has been like so far throughout the tournament. Obviously a young guy like yourself who just got his first taste of the Big Leagues, getting to be part of this, and not just part of it but also a very big part of Italy's lineup. How have you soaked in the experience and how do you feel like you've done so far?
JAKOB MARSEE: Yeah, it's been amazing honestly. The crowds have been unbelievable and it's probably been some of the most electric games I've ever been able to be a part of. So to be able to get a chance to compete in this has been a blessing and it's been a lot of fun.
Then at the same time, you know, just being able to find ways to help the team win every single day, that's all I really care about and the rest will come.
Q. Curious about what you've learned about your own family story, the Marsee or different family names that you've learned going back to Italy and the hometowns that you've got there in Italy as well.
JAKOB MARSEE: Yeah. So I actually have grandparents on both sides of the family. So my mom's side, my Grandpa Guido, he's Guido Paternoster. He came over from Italy. Then on my dad's side as well, her last name was Longo. So both sides of the family had great grandparents come over from Italy, so yeah.
Q. What's it been like being around Vini Pasquantino and just the energy that he has brought? And then secondly, now that you're going to Miami for the remainder of the tournament, what's it going to be like playing semifinals and potentially championship on your own field?
JAKOB MARSEE: Yeah. First, talking about Vinnie. I mean, that guy's been exceptional. Seeing him go about his day to day and just really getting to learn and see how he is as a leader. I mean, especially with the slow start a little bit and just seeing how he handled that and everything is honestly like, it just shows you how you want to carry yourself. It teaches you a lot just watching him. He's the first guy to celebrate a teammate. He's not dwelling over what happened to him.
So really just being able to learn from him and just see how he handles his business has been huge for me, and I think everyone.
And then to be back in Miami's awesome. Obviously most familiar with this place than any other park. So just to be able to be here and be able to compete in these games, it's going to be really fun.
Q. I wonder, Jakob, with having both Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez in the Venezuelan dugout, what are your memories of watching them in Detroit and what does that mean to maybe be able to look across the field and maybe see a couple of the former Tiger legends there in the dugout?
JAKOB MARSEE: Yeah, that's going to be awesome honestly. Just growing up watching Miguel Cabrera my whole life, and there's a lot of winning ball clubs I was able to watch and be able to be inspired by in Detroit.
So both those guys, huge part of those teams. Even now when I go watch back hitters, Miguel Cabrera's one of the first guys I go watch. Just his approach at the plate and just watching how he was able to use the whole field. So definitely a guy I've always respected and looked up to. So it's going to be super cool and kind of crazy to see him in the other dugout.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports165178-2-1001 2026-03-15 20:38:00 GMT
