When Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek has communication problems with an
Asian-born pitcher that he simply can't solve, he calls on Chang-Ho Lee.
Lee, who came to this country with his family when he was in high school
without being able to understand English, is an assistant trainer but
also serves as the Sox' interpreter for their Far Eastern players, a job
he first held in Pawtucket. He can appreciate the lost feeling a Korean
or a Japanese can have in the States.
"Quite often, I'll talk to the manager or the coaches when there is
something that needs to be said," said Lee.
"Everybody tries to learn. In the locker room with the players, I try
not to translate (for the Far East players) because I feel that I had to
learn to communicate with people to be more comfortable so I could fit
in better. I want them to do the same. I'll be there for them when they
need help, but I want them to speak as much English as they can so they
can learn quicker," he said.
"Also, I think by them trying to speak English, and having the other
players speak English slowly to them so they can understand them,
chemistry among teammates becomes better. What's best for the team is
players to talk to each other, but to use a translator for technical
terms or when talking to the coaches and manager, and that's when I'll
step in and talk for them."
