By Cary Osborne

Last week, Adrian Gonzalez spoke to reporters from Mexico after it was announced that the Dodger first baseman would receive the “Premio Nacional de Deportes,” a prestigious national sports award presented by Mexico’s CONADE, the country’s National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport.

Gonzalez, who spent his youth growing up in Chula Vista, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, has long been admired by Mexicans for his work on and off the field. He was asked about different on- and off-field topics during the conversation.

One interesting question was about teenage pitching sensation Julio Urias, who was named the Dodgers 2014 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after dominating the High-A California League as a 17-year-old.

“Julio is a young man who is an excellent pitcher. He pitches about 95 mph. He has a great curve as well. A lot of people feel that he has the potential of being one of the greatest pitchers in the Major Leagues,” Gonzalez said. “He’s a great guy, simple and very attentive. Even though I’ve known him for a short time, I hope we can start a great friendship. Our team expects a lot from Julio.”

After a season in which the Dodgers opened the season in Australia, a reporter wanted to know Gonzalez’s opinion on if the Dodgers would play a Major League regular season game in the near future in Mexico. In 1999, the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies opened up their regular season with a game in Monterrey, Mexico.

“That’s up to Major League Baseball,” Gonzalez said. “It will obviously be a great deal for us. Everything is possible. We played a game in Australia this year. Mexico is a lot closer. I hope it can be done.”

Gonzalez was thankful for the national award, noting that winning it over four-time Team Mexico soccer World Cup captain Rafael Marquez was a huge honor.

“I really put a lot of hard work and effort during the season,” Gonzalez said. “Since the season has passed, I had three days of rest, and I started training again. I don’t like to rest. I’m not one of those people who sits on the couch for a month after the season is over. I continue working and preparing for the next year.”

That work includes working with a boxing trainer, which Gonzalez told reporters he does to keep in shape. On that topic, they asked him which Mexican boxer he preferred, Canelo Alvarez or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Gonzalez said he is a friend of Alvarez, so that’s where his loyalty is.

Then he was asked about his own future.

“Will we see a boxing career from you once you are finished with baseball?” a reporter asked.

“No, not at all,” Gonzalez said.