Archived Thread

NFT: Someone please explain this to me

blueblood'11 : 8/21/2016 7:11 am

Gary Sanchez speaks through an interpreter. Tanka speaks through an interpreter. This is not specific to the Yankees. It is a microcosm of baseball in general. So, when Sanchez goes to the mound to talk strategy with whomever is on the mound and then they have these long protracted strategy talks how the fuck do they communicate. Better yet, when Tanaka is on the mound and Sanchez jogs out there to talk to him I'm like what language are they speaking???

When Larry Rothchild heads out there to talk and you see Tanaka nodding his head I'm just guessing Larry speaks Japanese. I know that sometimes Tanaka's interpreter will go out with him. But not all the time. You see this in baseball all the time. And the fact that Sanchez who appears to be a very good defensive catcher and I think calls a really nice game if he can't speak the language how the hell does the pitcher on the mound know what he's saying.,

these guys speak and understand english to a point

eyerishyank2 : 8/21/2016 7:15 am : link

but they dont want to say something that can be misconstrued in the media and make a mistake that becomes a story due to a language gap. It's very common, Ichiro has done it for years.

They mostly use interpreters

Jolly Blue Giant : 8/21/2016 7:16 am : link

In the press because if something is misinterpreted by the press it can make them look bad. At the mound they can get their point across and it's good enough.

.....

Route 9 : 8/21/2016 7:17 am : link

I believe Matsui was the one who could speak English pretty well and everyone on the team knew what he was saying very clearly. However, I think Matsui opted for his interviews to be through a translator so he didn't wanna mess up anything in front of cameras, reporters and left it on the shoulders of the interpreter. I'm sure this is the case with many players and they share a bond, and hell thats what the guy is getting paid to do. Let him earn that check!

They aren't talking

Matt in SGS : 8/21/2016 7:19 am : link

politics on the mound, there are a few words specific to pitches that are the same everywhere. He might be literally talking about throwing a fastball or curveball, or look to pitch around the next guy. And in the case of maybe a mechanical issue, mention a shoulder or release point. I'm sure if they started talking about something other than pitching, forget it.

Matt

blueblood'11 : 8/21/2016 7:37 am : link

That's pretty funny when you say they aren't talking politics. But sports is big money and winning is everything. They better know what each other is talking about out there. And it's apparent they do. I remember when Robbie Cano first came up and his post game interviews you could tell he had very little command of the English language. Now when he speaks he still has very strong accent, broken English if you will, but he speaks the language pretty well now as far as getting his point across and knowing exactly what he is saying.

at this point

mdthedream : 8/21/2016 7:48 am : link

he is telling the pitcher to throw strikes so e can go and hit a Home run.

Let's send Sanchez back to the minors and ESL classes.

Jim in Hoboken : 8/21/2016 7:54 am : link

As long as he keeps hitting HR's I think I'll go learn Spanish instead. What, you want John Flaherty back?

It does seem that some players are more willing to learn and assimilate. Not everybody is going to be like Porzingis.

I'm sure Tanaka understands

section125 : 8/21/2016 7:58 am : link

"baseball" language. I have seen hie interpreter out there for injury checks.
I'm sure the Spanish guys also understand "baseball" language and they probably speak enough English to get by with teammates (no embarrassment.)

Now when Sanchez goes to see Tanaka, it is probably - Fastball, Slider, Splitter, Curve, inside, outside - etc. Simple common words. Some of those words are the same in Japanese, Spanish and English.

RE: They aren't talking

Chris in Philly : 8/21/2016 8:50 am : link

In comment 13079825 Matt in SGS said:

Quote:

You never know what they are taking about. It could be about wedding gifts.

Some guys use it as a buffer

Jim in Fairfax : 8/21/2016 10:58 am : link

They don't like talking to the press, so they use the interpreter as a buffer to make life harder for the reporters.

Talk about

mitch300 : 8/21/2016 1:25 pm : link

Having a really cool job with the only requirement is to be bilingual . I was at Wrigley when the Yanks were there and who was shagging balls during batting practice, Tanakas interpreter . They get to watch the game in the dugout and travel with the team. What an experience.