Harry Ford Reacts to Trade to Washington Nationals from Seattle Mariners, MLB Debut With Seattle

Harry Ford Reacts to Trade to Washington Nationals from Seattle Mariners, MLB Debut With Seattle

Hey Harry, welcome to the gnats. Thank you. Appreciate it. Um, I think you’re like a little bit further away than all of us on some version of the East Coast. So, where exactly are you and where were you when you found out about the trade? Um, well, right now I’m in Oxford, uh, England, uh, visiting my family and, uh, I was back home in Georgia when I, uh, got called about it. What was your reaction to the news and then how was it having like a whole transatlantic flight to process everything? Um, I mean it was it definitely I mean it it hit me pretty hard. I was just it like they called me and it was okay. Then I just I was with my mom and I was I was pretty sad just about uh you know all I’ve known is the Mariners and you know the relationships and the people that have that I’ve been around there. uh you know it definitely definitely hit hard knowing I’m not going to see them anymore or for consistently and uh but yeah it was fine haven’t been on the plane to process it but uh yeah Mark Zuckermanmanports.com hey Harry it sounds like on your reaction there that you really didn’t necessarily see this coming. Um, did you feel like uh even though the Mariners obviously have Cal Raleigh that there was going to be a place for you in that organization long term? Uh, yeah. I mean, I did. You know, I I I believe I really believe that I was drafted there for a reason. Um, you know, my faith in uh God having a plan for each of us is uh really really high and that’s you know, how I how I live my life. And so I truly believed that, you know, God had a plan for me with the Mariners and that I I was there to stay and I was, you know, loyal to that uh until until the end. But uh you know, I but I’m also I’m really happy to be here with the Nats and I’m really happy to get this opportunity um and it was it was it was shocking but I’m you know ready to do it with this team as well. So, um, as you’ve had time to process it the last couple days, have you sort of mapped out the possibilities that you could have here with Washington and that there is a distinct possibility now of being like their top catcher in both the short term and the long term. Yeah. Uh, for sure. you know, I uh definitely definitely thought thought of that um thought it through and I and I uh loved that I didn’t get a chance to to to fight for for a spot on the team, you know. Um I I know the the other catchers uh but Ruiz and Adams and uh so I really really glad excited to get to to work with them as well. Um but I I am thankful for for uh the chance to be in I guess a little more in the conversation than than Seattle. Spencer Nosman, Washington Post. Hey Nar, nice to meet you. Um, I wanted to ask a little bit about your time with the Mariners organization working with their catchers specifically, whether that’s Hal in spring training or a little bit during the season or whoever else you worked with. Um, can you talk a little bit about how you felt like they helped you grow as a a catcher specifically and how they helped you become the player that you are today? Yeah. Um, I mean without without those guys there’s like they the one the Mariners organization as a whole has done so much for me and uh then specifically the other catchers have completely changed uh who I am as a as a catcher, as a player, as a person. Um what uh a few guys in particular like Jacob Noddingham uh he he he made an impact on my career that uh I will never be able to repay him for. Um, and so I’m I’m super thankful dudes like him, Zach Livingston who’s our catching coordinator, uh, Scotty, Ryan Scott, and you know, all the other all the other guys as well who who, uh, um, played with throughout the years. Uh, Brody, I can I can name so many so many so many guys, but uh, you know, spring training is not easy. the season’s not easy and everyone’s pushed each other all year and uh I’m I’m super super thankful for all those relationships with these guys. What have they taught you about learning a staff specifically since you are, you know, joining a team where I assume you either don’t know any of the pitchers at all or or kind of surface level know some of these guys. What did they teach you about what it takes to learn a staff and and mold a staff? Uh yeah, I’d say uh you know, Jacob Noddingham really uh taught me a lot about that this year, I think. But he was the premise what he’s teaching me is just just caring, you know, like putting them above yourself, caring about them as people and not just as a player. Um and and just owning it. And uh you know, he he taught me so much this year. He’s got so much experience and uh so I’m definitely going to going to walk in that this year and probably be calling him asking for help sometimes. But uh yeah, he he he just he just just just caring and and loving them as much as he can. Andrew Golden, Washington Post. Hey Harry, great to meet you. Um in looking at your offensive numbers, um you hit more homers and had your probably your best offensive season in fewer games than you played any season prior. or what do you feel like worked well for you last year and what do you feel like you really um attribute that success to? Yeah, I think uh uh what worked really well for me was one having having coaches and other players u with me who believed in me and believed in me when I didn’t believe in me. And um that’s one thing I can’t thank the Mariners enough. I mean the the the the people they bring in there, players and coaches, I mean they are just awesome and so encouraging and um so having those people around me helped helped a ton and also just uh learning not learning how to stop tinkering and uh and just trust yourself and just trust that you know you are a good player, you have god-given talent and just and just go playing and uh not trying to manufacture something every day And then unfortunately I don’t have minor league defensive metrics of those aren’t readily accessible. Um but in terms of defensively how would you kind of assess how you did behind behind the plate last year? Would you do you feel like you did well? Do you feel like there are you can grow? How would you assess that as a whole? Yeah, there’s always areas you can grow. Um I uh I definitely this off season looking forward to uh you know g getting better skillfully with like framing and blocking and baric. We’re always always going to be working working on that. Um I think the I I the best job I did though and that was credit to like I said my coaches and uh Naughty just just learning how to how to be with the staff and how to do more catcher things, you know. But uh I did good with the with the with the the actual skill part of catching, but a lot of places to grow for sure. Bobby Blanco, mastersports.com. Hey Harry, welcome to DC. Um, nice to meet you. Um, thank you. Back to your uh your offense. Um, you know, you I see you have a draw a lot of walks, you have a high on base percentage, and then you tapped into that power this past season. How would you define your approach at the plate? Is it more of get on base at any means necessary, or are you still trying to feel like you’re more of a growing into your power hitting? Yeah. Uh, I’d say I’ I’ve uh I’d say I’m pretty complete. I’m not trying to look for walks and I’m not trying to, you know, look for homers. I I have I have moments where I take my chances and I I’m going to put a big swing on a 200 pitch here in there. Um, but I just I’m just a a gap to gap line drive hitter. Um, I I attribute the walks to to me being able to uh wait late because I’ve got really fast hands. so I can uh see the ball longer. But um yeah, I just uh I just get on base. I find ways to get on base. That’s what I do. And um I You have plus speed ratings and you’ve stolen a lot of bases, which is pretty typical of your everyday catcher. You’re a little more athletic and fast than a normal catcher, I would think. So, how does that athleticism and speed helped you in other areas of of your game? I think athleticism helps a ton catching. Uh just being able to move side to side, get to balls that are that are tough to get to and just uh put your body in positions that uh you just need to as an athlete. Um so that athletism helps totally, but I think I see it the most in catching. Thanks, Howard Penders, Associated Press. Hi, how are you? Uh, thanks for doing this. I’m curious, how much, if at all, have you already uh spoken with Paul andor Blake about their thoughts for you uh especially in this first year with the franchise? Yeah, I’ve um pretty briefly, you know, have had one phone call with uh with both Paul and Blake and uh so I’m we haven’t talked too deep. It’s just made more of an introduction, but um we’ll definitely have some more calls lined up in the future. And uh I’m curious whether you and Jose Ferrer have ever spoken to each other. Um maybe in particular about your musical interests. Oh yeah, I saw you play saxophone. Yeah, but uh we haven’t we haven’t talked to each other, but I I do that is kind of that is pretty interesting. I saw a picture of him playing, so that’s pretty funny. Have you ever met another major leaguer who plays that same instrument? And also, how long have you played? When did you first pick it up? I I have not met another another guy that plays it. But uh I first started playing in uh in middle school. I don’t I hardly play anymore. I play more guitar now. But uh yeah, I I I could whip it out, though. So, we look forward to hearing you play. Oh, nice. Uh, Spencer Desmo. Yeah, kind of a a broad one for you. What excites you most about this opportunity, even if it is difficult to leave the the only org you’ve ever known? Um, I’m excited about the team. I think I mean, I’ve played with a lot of these dudes coming up like Brady, James. I mean, I’ve been playing against them since I was 16. uh Nim um Dalon Cruz, like I mean I know these guys. I’m excited to get on a on a team with them. Uh be be on a young team and uh you know just start start from scratch really and uh and I’m looking forward to building something and uh uh just just just getting to be with these guys and uh this new city. It’s it’s definitely excited and exciting and um I know that you know they they’ve they’ve got some amazing talent so I’m excited to be around them. Um and yeah, you talk about that a little bit kind of like getting in on the ground floor. Um does that surprise you that it excites you in the sense that um you know I know with the Mariners that was an or that has been to the playoffs um last year. What what feels different about kind of getting in with a bunch of different young talent? Um, it feels different cuz I like I’m in the same boat, you know, like I’m coming up to I’m trying to I’m trying to eat, I’m trying to get up there, you know, and you know, all of them are too. Uh, I think with Seattle, you know, um, which I love all the guys there. we are in a little diff most of us are in different uh uh phases of our career you know so uh I think at the nationals everyone’s kind pretty really fresh and and kind of on the up and coming so uh yeah I’m I’m excited to be around some grinders and some some some dudes are ready to get after it and I mean I know a lot of them so you know I know how how playing plan playing they are but uh yeah I I’m excited for for it for sure. All right, a couple more. We’ll go to Mark Zuckermanman. Hey, I know um you had a pretty memorable run in the World Baseball Classic three years ago with Great Britain. What was that experience like? And and do you plan to participate again this spring? Uh yeah, it was it was great. It was uh it was really cool getting to uh to be with be with the team uh be on the first the first uh Great Britain team to make it to the WBC and and and uh and and win a game. Um you know I I am I am planning on it. So Lord willing I get to play this year. Um but yeah it’s a it’s definitely a really cool experience. you know, Great Britain obviously not known for for baseball. Um, what what kind of connection do you feel? Obviously, you’re there right now and I think it’s your dad who lives there and his family. Um, is that is that an important connection for you and to the idea that you could help represent that country in a sport that uh is obviously still being learned there. Yeah, it it 100% is is a big thing for me. I mean, uh, like we talk about all the time about how we’re always trying to grow the game and, uh, give people opportunity to play who who don’t have that chance. And that’s a lot of kids here. Um, a lot of kids are out here that, uh, no matter how much they love baseball, uh, they just they they just can’t play or can’t don’t have the means to train and get better. So, um, that’s definitely something I am passionate about and about, uh, just just growing that here. and uh um giving kids a chance somehow some way. I don’t don’t have that completely mapped out yet what that looks like, but um it is something that I am uh you know committed to uh seeing through. Oh, one last kind of random one. I know your given name is Harrison. Does anyone actually call you that like your parents or anybody or they stay away from that even the other Harrison Ford? Yeah, nobody calls me Harrison. Just kind of there. All right. All right, we’ll finish up with Jessica. You’re muted, Jess. Jess, you’re muted. Hi, we’re back. Um, of all of the guys that you played with earlier, who was the first to reach out to you and who have you talked to? The guys that are on the Nats? Um, I mean, Dylan Cruz, he DM’ me. Um, yeah, I I I I download I redownload Instagram for like for a day, so I I haven’t gone through it all, but uh yeah, Cruz DM’d me and um I talked to Blake, the manager, but uh yeah, about it. I’m sure Well, I’m sure your DMs will be flooded by the time you check it again. But uh my last question for you is having played in an organization and with a lot of veteran catchers, what do you hope to share with the gnats in that role, like from your experience about what you learned about the position specifically? I mean just I mean I I I’m just my my hope and my my desire is that I would reflect those qualities um of putting just putting my guy putting the guys above myself and uh walking in like a servant leadership style and uh you know and that’s when it comes to the the scattering report and you know calling pitches in game and and just try trying to lead them in game. Um I I hope and pray that you know those qualities would reflect me. Um cuz that’s that’s you know that’s what I’ve definitely I mean Kyle does a great job of that. Uh Mitch does an awesome job and a lot of guys in the minor leagues do. We talked about that a lot. So, I hope that uh that would be something that they would see in me and I and I and I pray that it is. So, yeah. All right. Thanks everybody. Thanks Harry for uh for doing this and

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