... his beef is with the japanese players like Ichiro who “need’ a translator yet the latino players are not allowed it. And he has a point as I am (begrudgingly) a Mariners fan, I have to agree with Ozzie as Ichiro after 10 years speaks impeccable English yet still needs a translator with interviews.
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Same thing is happening with the new Texas Rangers’ player from Japan; Yu Darvish. In all interviews with the press, he has a translator and only answers in Japanese. Our local TV sports guys have said that he speaks English very well among his teammates and coaches. .....Perhaps it’s because he may not understand various slang terms that reporters might use when asking their questions and prefers the translator so that he will not answer incorrectly. ??
“Perhaps it’s because he may not understand various slang terms that reporters might use when asking their questions and prefers the translator so that he will not answer incorrectly. ??”
Give him some slack as Darvish is a rookie and has an excuse. (Although I think the Rangers are idiots for paying him $52 mil just to TALK to him..THEN pay ANOTHER $50 mil as salary).
American players who play in Japan are assigned translators too. On the M’s we now have THREE japanese players and Ichiro shares his with Kawasaki, a utility player. But at least Kawasaki learns both English and Spanish. Ichiro has no excuses for the translator.