baseball

Red Sox announcer says Tanaka shouldn't get interpreter

23 Comments
By BEN WALKER

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23 Comments
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"Learn baseball language. You know, learn, it's pretty simple."

Spoken like someone who has never taken on the immense challenge of learning another language.

Ignorant and thoughtless comments. One of the great points of the MLB is its internationalism. It features some of the best players from different countries around the world. If they need interpreters to make that happen, then what's the harm?

12 ( +12 / -0 )

What is he worried about exactly? Why should it be illegal?

If they could just talk with baseball language, the manager wouldn't have to go all the way to the mound and would just flash signals. He goes out there because he wants to understand what's going through the pitcher's mind and body.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Really shocking that this was said in Boston. The city really is a beacon for tolerance.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Don't blame Tanaka. Blame the English education system in Japan. Well, actually, blame Tanaka as well. Too lazy to learn the language. It's like foreign people moving to another country and never learning the language. What kind of "assimilation" is that?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

What does he think is not "legal"? Ie. are 2 non-players not allowed onto the pitch, etc.?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

There was a great article in a Florida paper last year about translators in baseball. It focuses on Ichiro and the Marlins but is informative about league-wide practices (that are apparently lost on this boob):

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-marlins/fl-marlins-translators-20160519-story.html

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Well, it just makes the game slower. Those games between the two teams always takes longer.

Thing is, the Red Sox have had Japanese players before and I know they had an interpreter for Matsuzaka and the other Japanese players.

The Yankees want to win, so they want the pitching coach to communicate with Tanaka.

The Spanish speakers don't tend to get an interpreter, but the Japanese do.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Every major league team is now required to have a Spanish interpreter. Whether each/every player uses their services...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Baseball is a bit of a joke when it comes to coaching anyway. Get rid of first and third base coaching for a start and yes ban interpreters/head coach during games.

In most sports coaches do their job before/after the game or at half-time, not during the match. Always felt baseball coaches (team uniform, cap on etc) were attention-seekers. Just my 2 cents.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

In the NHL you have players from many countries on the same team (Sweden, USA, (French) Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Russia etc). They don't use interpreters during play, yet they are somehow capable of communicating on the ice and on the bench. Are baseball players less intelligent or capable of learning a language than hockey players?

I suspect it may have something to do with the developmental system. Foreign NHL players tend to play a few years in the minors before moving up to the big team, giving them a chance to adapt to the language and culture. The impression I get is that the MLB doesn't provide foreign players with that luxury (I know nothing about baseball).

That said, there's nothing wrong with expecting someone to speak the language of the country in which they reside for much of the year and earn most of their income. We're talking about elite professionals earning millions of dollars per year; they can take a damn English class. NHL players give interviews in stumbling, broken English all the time and it's perfectly fine. It sounds to me like MLB players need to step it up.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I agree with Jalapeno, surely, not being able to use English is a damning indictment on the failed system of English teaching in Japan

2 ( +3 / -1 )

In the NHL you have players from many countries on the same team (Sweden, USA, (French) Canada, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Russia etc)

Not really a fair comparison. Most Europeans learn, a little to a lot, of English in school, besides being a totally different kind of sport, where on ice discussions are usually done with their right or left hands.

Don't blame Tanaka. Blame the English education system in Japan. Well, actually, blame Tanaka as well. Too lazy to learn the language. It's like foreign people moving to another country and never learning the language. What kind of "assimilation" is that?

I bet you have a lot of friends....

4 ( +5 / -1 )

actually his thinking is exactly why there are interpreters, the baseball players don't learn languages. Even millionaires are afraid to speak up. Too bad, the insight into the thinking of a person helps a lot to find common ground. Ironically for both announcer and players

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I think Tanaka can understand if they say to him in English "You are no good. You are fired!"

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The Spanish speakers don't tend to get an interpreter, but the Japanese do.

MLB teams tend to have either:

(1) An infielder who speaks both Spanish and English - and thus translates at the pitching mound, or

(2) A coach that speaks both Spanish and English - and can go to the mound.

MLB teams tend not to have neither for Japanese language, and thus need an outside translator.

I suspect it may have something to do with the developmental system. Foreign NHL players tend to play a few years in the minors before moving up to the big team, giving them a chance to adapt to the language and culture. The impression I get is that the MLB doesn't provide foreign players with that luxury (I know nothing about baseball).

Most foreign MLB players go thru their local countries' MLB academy systems, then at least 3 levels of minor league system (A, AA, AAA), before making it to the Major League.

But most Japanese players don't go thru the minors because Japan's pro baseball NPB discourages young talent to going directly to the US - NPB wants them to play in Japan first. So most Japanese players instead later go thru the "post" system directly to the Majors.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Why not give Tanaka an ear piece so his interpreter can communicate directly without worrying about some self important commentator shooting his mouth off?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If he thinks this way about everyone (not just Japanese or Tanaka) then his comment is THAT bad, but it's still a little ignorant.

I do have to wonder, though, if part of the problem is all the Wa-sei Eigo in baseball in particular. With a lot of similar words used very differently in some cases learning the correct usage in English or vice-versa would not be easy at all.

regardless, if it's allowed, of COURSE Tanaka should be allowed to have it. Until it's not allowed, the man's comments are moot.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What a jerk. It's worth mentioning that when Americans play in Japan nobody gives a second thought to them having interpreters. Well, except for the Japanese equivalent of this old windbag.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Do American players in Japanese Baseball have interpreters or do they learn the language. Either is fine with me, btw. Just curious.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Once again, I am embarrassed to be an american.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Really shocking that this was said in Boston. The city really is a beacon for tolerance.

I have to presume that is heavy handed sarcasm you are using?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Toasted Heretic (Great name btw) yes, American players in Japan do have translators. They are not expected to learn Japanese, although some do on their own. As the translation is simulaneous, I don't see what Remy is complaining about.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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