A Whole New Ballgame

The Red Sox' Nomar Garciaparra understands Spanish, but in the clubhouse he speaks English.

10:30 AM EDT on Wednesday, August 27, 2003

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

The journalist approached Nomar Garciparra after the All-Star Game, put his tape recorder near the Boston Red Sox' shortstop's face and asked a question.

In Spanish.

Garciaparra, who is of Mexican descent, looked at the man and answered quickly.

AP photo COVERING HIS BASES: Nomar Garciaparra, who is of Mexican descent, knows the value in being able to speak more than one language.

That Garciaparra wanted to speak English and not Spanish was not a surprise.

Garciaparra and his siblings, who grew up in the Los Angeles area, were raised to use English as their primary language. They were encouraged to do so by their parents, whose primary language was Spanish when they were growing up in California.

He understands Spanish and can make himself understood when speaking the language. He considers himself Mexican. But in the clubhouse, Garciaparra speaks English.

"It was really important for my parents that we speak English," said Garciaparra. "It was tough on my parents when they were growing up, speaking Spanish. They felt that we were going to be raised in the States, so knowing English is how you succeed and move on.

"People say to me, 'You don't speak Spanish fluently,' but am I Mexican? Absolutely. I know that the true essence of being a Mexican is not always just the language. Language is a big part, don't get me wrong, but at the same time family, understanding the culture, the food is an even bigger part than the language," said Garciaparra.

Not that Garciaparra is bothered by teammates who speak other languages in the clubhouse. Neither Garciaparra nor his American teammates view it as a team chemistry problem when Latin players, for instance, gather among themselves and chat in Spanish.

"It doesn't bother me hearing teammates speak in Spanish. Cliques will form as comfort areas," said Garciaparra. "I can understand the language, and I've learned so much more now, more than I ever did because I hear it in the clubhouse. I think growing up in society now, it's an edge to be bilingual.

"I've traveled to Europe, and they speak more than one language in those countries. I think that's incredible. You just sound so much more educated," he added. "In America, we're so stuck on, 'Just English, that's the way it's supposed to be.' I think we should understand that the primary language here is English, but to me it's pretty impressive to be able to communicate in more than one language."

Garciaparra said he tried to do so when he was in Japan with touring major leaguers for an All-Star series a few years ago. But he wasn't able to make the most of the experience, he said.

"I wanted to learn some Japanese, but I couldn't get embedded in the culture as much as I would have liked because we were too busy playing. That was disappointing because I talked to (good friend) Lou (Merloni, who played in Japan and for the Sox) and he knew some Japanese. I thought that was cool," said Garciaparra.

To Garciaparra, the different languages aren't barriers. They're opportunities.

"I talk to B.K. (closer Byung-Hyun Kim). I'd like to learn some Korean from him. You see other guys on the team go to B.K., too, and he teaches them about Korean food. He understands English well and can communicate. It depends on the individual, but that can be an education in itself," said Garciaparra.

That education, though, said Garciaparra, should run both ways in the clubhouse.

"It is becoming an international game, but you realize we play here," said Garciaparra. "I wanted to learn more about Japan because I was in their country. I wasn't going to assume that just because I was an American they should take care of me. And hopefully (foreign players) will have the same attitude when they come here."