Exclusive Interview: Benji Gil Talks Team Mexico’s WBC Mission & Ohtani’s Greatness
The Ohtani Effect: "Nobody is More Complete"
CAMELBACK RANCH, AZ — Over the next few weeks, it’s going to be all about the WBC. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Starting right here, right now with a fantastic interview with Team Mexico’s manager, Benji Gil.
Gil, once an infielder for the Angels and Rangers, joined our very own Bleed Los Podcast for an exclusive interview recently that covered everything from his recent Caribbean Series championship to Team Mexico’s outlook heading into the World Baseball Classic, with a few Dodgers angles mixed in along the way.
Nailbiter for the Caribbean Championship
Born in Mexico, but a product of Chula Vista schools, Gil spoke at length about how his club (Charros de Jalisco aka Mexico Rojo) handled the chaos of the Caribbean Series final, including a ninth-inning swing that turned his squad’s comfortable lead into a tie. “We get the first out in the ninth inning… hit by pitch… and then first pitch home run, tie game,” Gil said. “Oh my gosh… that was a little bit of a dagger.” He said the group stayed locked in through extra innings and leaned into execution under pressure, describing how one moment can force the other side into a mistake and tilt the entire game. Fortunately, Gil was able to hold the rudder steady and guide his club to a 12-11 win over the other Mexican Team in the tournament, Mexico Verde. On two 10th inning wild pitches, no less.
That perspective carried into the WBC discussion, where Gil didn’t hide his expectations. “I expect us to win. I believe we’re going to win,” he said, arguing that Mexico is stronger than the team that made its memorable run in the last tournament. Gil pointed to the roster’s mix of returning players who have improved since 2023 and key additions that change the team’s shape, particularly at catcher and in the bullpen. He framed last time as proof of concept more than a near miss: “We were 30 outs away from being world champs… we better be believing that we can get there and get those next 30 outs.”
What Wins in Tournament Baseball
Gil also emphasized that a short tournament rewards depth and late-inning reliability, especially against the heavyweight teams. He described the United States, the Dominican Republic, and Japan as “super teams,” but still stressed that baseball can turn on one night, one matchup, one sequence. “A very good team can beat a super team… one game, one night,” he said, noting that Mexico has already shown it can handle top-tier opponents on the WBC stage.
On the Dodgers’ side, Gil offered a window into how he views Shohei Ohtani’s arc and what drives him. Gil said Ohtani’s experiences with Japan and his desire to win shaped his next steps, and he connected that mindset to how Ohtani’s Dodgers deal was structured. “The biggest determining factor… is because he wanted to win,” Gil said, adding that Ohtani’s ambition isn’t limited to being the best of his era: “He wants to be the best ever.”
“He wants to be the best ever.” Benji Gil breaks down the Ohtani effect and Mexico’s path to a WBC title.
The Dodgers… and Beyond
The interview lands at a convenient moment on the calendar, because Team Mexico is scheduled to play the Dodgers in an exhibition in Arizona on March 3 as part of its tune-up before WBC pool play begins. Gil discussed the urgency of the format — a tournament where an early loss can change everything — and what it takes to create chemistry fast in a clubhouse that comes together for only a short window. “The captain of our team is all 30 players,” he said. “We are a unit. We’re a family.”
If you want the full context — including Gil’s detailed breakdown of how Mexico builds its staff and roster, his thoughts on what a WBC title would mean for baseball in Mexico, and the candid moment late in the interview when he talks about his MLB managerial ambitions — the full episode is worth a listen.
👉 More Dodgers Coverage:
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
