Bucs Beat Q&A: Pitching to Oneil Cruz in Home Run Derby a 'privilege' for Stephen Morales

What was it like to pitch to Oneil Cruz in the Home Run Derby?

It was amazing. First of all, it’s a privilege for me just to have the opportunity to be picked by him to have the opportunity to be the one throwing to him and help him out during that really special moment. Hanging around those special players was a treat for me, just to see the big-name guys and superstars in the same clubhouse. I feel pretty blessed about that.

Where did Oneil want the ball thrown?

Actually, it wasn’t that hard because I’ve been throwing to him for a long time. He told me a little higher to middle and closer to him, middle-in. You can’t throw too low to him because he’s so tall. You have to be on a place where he can get to it easily.

What was it like to see his performance?

That was something else. I was so locked in to throwing the ball to where I know he can do damage that I wasn’t paying attention to the numbers. I knew he was hitting a lot of home runs but I was so locked in that I knew something special was happening but I just kept going and going and going. It was special to see that first round of the Home Run Derby. It was full of excitement.

Did you turn around to watch the 513-foot homer?

I almost did. I don’t know if it was that one or some other home run. I turned around and then went back to it real quick. One of them caught my eye. I knew that ball was going to be over 500 feet.

What was your favorite part of the All-Star festivities?

You see it when you’re a kid. As a player or a coach, to be part of the All-Star Game or Home Run Derby, it’s a blessing to be there and around all the big-name guys. To see all the future Hall of Famers there and be around it was a privilege and an honor.

Do you think being around All-Stars will help Oneil tap into his talent?

It definitely helps, just to be around all those guys. You can see that connection, especially when he was around Tatis, Vladdy Jr., Acuna — all those Latino superstars — and he was joking around with Ohtani. It was contagious, and I think that helps big-time for him to see how it looks like and how special those moments are. That way, he can keep pushing himself to be there more often.

How do you describe your coaching duties for the Pirates?

I’m an assistant coach. Anything the team needs me to do, I’m there. I’ve done outfield stuff, infield stuff before. I’m just ready to know enough about each department just in case they need me, I can do that. During the games, I help with the phone during the replay stuff. I help Donnie with the big lineup card in the dugout and to coach the game in general. And I inherited the interpreter position a couple years ago, when Mike (Gonzalez) went South. I’m an assistant coach/dad/uncle. You name it. I’m here to help the team and help our players to be in a better spot to be successful. I enjoy doing what I do. I don’t see myself as a big-league coach. I’m somebody that God put in people’s way to help them get to their goals. That’s what I do.

How long have you been coaching in the Puerto Rican Winter League?

I’ve been part of that league for almost 30 years now, 16 as a player and 13 as a coach, manager, water boy, you name it. I’ve done every aspect of it, and it’s my hometown team, as well. It has a really special place in my heart when it comes to winter ball because I played (catcher) and coached and managed for my hometown team.

What did you think about the Pirates drafting the top Puerto Rican prospect in shortstop Gustavo Melendez?

I went home after the Home Run Derby and was really happy to see we drafted a guy from Puerto Rico with really good tools that is going to help us at some point the next few years. Being Puerto Rican, it makes me happy to know that we can continue the Roberto Clemente legacy here, bringing in guys from Puerto Rico to represent the Pirates.

In your role as interpreter for the Pirates, how do you deal with speaking Spanish in different dialects with players from Panama, Puerto Rico, the Dominican and Venezuela?

It’s interesting. After so many years in baseball, I’ve dealt with so many different nationalities that I’m used to it by now. I’ve heard every slang in every language. It’s fun. They all bring something that I love. I learn from them, they learn from me and we go from there. It’s a unique part of my job. In our normal conversations, we Latinos tend to speak so fast that it’s sometimes hard to understand. But because we’ve been around each other for so many years in baseball, you get used to all of that.

You work closely with Oneil. How is he different than perceived?

I’ll tell you this right now: He might seem like a 6-7 monster in size, but this guy has a great heart. He’s a family man. He loves his family. You don’t think of that part of Oneil Cruz, but if you earn his trust this guy will go to battle for anybody at any point. I think Oneil is a great human being and a great family man. I think (he and his son) enjoyed the whole thing (at the Home Run Derby) from start to finish. That’s what’s good about it. His wife and kids are going to remember that for the rest of their life.