OAKLAND, Calif. — José Urquidy arrived at RingCentral Coliseum on Saturday morning and discovered a delicious surprise in his locker. A bowl of pozole appeared almost out of nowhere. Urquidy planned to enjoy it after finishing his morning workout.
“So he’ll be strong tomorrow,” manager Dusty Baker quipped.
Baker’s reputation as a player’s manager precedes him. Part of the reason Houston owner Jim Crane hired him last year involved his ability to quickly build bonds in a clubhouse full of diverse backgrounds. Baker seems to know someone — some “padnuhs” — in every city the Astros visit.
In east Oakland, there’s a Mexican restaurant he frequents along with new quality control coach Dan Firova. They delivered burritos to the clubhouse during the series. Baker continued a year-long tradition that ensured Urquidy, the team’s only Mexico native, had something special.
“It’s something that he started doing last year and it’s a real nice gesture on his part,” Urquidy said Saturday through an interpreter. “It’s a super important part of our relationship and we have a good relationship.
“He’s a big fan of Mexican food, Mexican culture. He’s brought me a lot of different Mexican foods and left it in my locker: ceviche, tacos, pozole. It’s a really nice gesture on his part and we have a lot of trust in that relationship.”
Baker often speaks fondly of his experience as a player in the Mexican league. He took a liking to Urquidy after watching his performance in Game 4 of the 2019 World Series on television. Now, as his manager, Baker’s affinity for the young righthander has grown.
Urquidy will make his season debut on Sunday against the A’s, starting what he hopes can be the first full season of his major league career. The 25-year-old contracted COVID-19 last season and did not debut until September. He threw a four-inning simulated game at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday as one final tuneup.
“Physically, I’m very good,” Urquidy said. “I think I can throw more than 70, more than 80 pitches. I have to do a good job hitter by hitter, pitch by pitch and throw my stuff through the zone and do my things well.”
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