Talkin’ baseball? Just make it English
Boston Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy says pitchers such as Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka shouldn’t be allowed interpreters on the mound and should instead “learn baseball language.”
Remy’s comments Tuesday night during the NESN telecast of the Boston-New York game quickly drew harsh criticism on social media, with some saying there isn’t one universal language for baseball.
The Red Sox analyst made his remarks on air after Tanaka was visited by Japanese interpreter Shingo Horie and pitching coach Larry Rothschild in the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium.
“I don’t think that should be legal,” Remy said, “I really don’t.”
“Learn baseball language. You know, learn, it’s pretty simple. You break it down pretty easy between pitching coach and pitcher after a long period of time,” Remy said.
A Red Sox announcer since 1988, Remy also was a Boston infielder for seven seasons and is a member of the team’s hall of fame.
In 2013, Major League Baseball adopted a rule that permitted interpreters to join mound conferences. Right-hander Chad Bettis has rejoined the Colorado Rockies and begun throwing after finishing treatments for testicular cancer.
The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander Bartolo Colon on the 10-day disabled list with a strain in his left side.
The Texas Rangers put first baseman Mike Napoli on the DL because of a lower back strain.
The Miami Marlins placed first baseman Justin Bour on the DL with a left ankle contusion.