Sports
Jerry Remy, NESN Apologize For 'Translator' Comments
Remy suggested players like Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka "learn baseball language" instead of using a translator on the mound.
BOSTON, MA – Legendary Boston Red Sox announcer Jerry Remy and NESN have issued apologies for Remy's comments during a Tuesday night broadcast of the Red Sox-Yankees game in New York. Remy took issue with Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka using a Japanese translator on the mound during a visit by Yankees' pitching coach Larry Rothschild in the fourth inning, saying he didn't think it should be "legal."
"Learn baseball language. You know, learn, it’s pretty simple," Remy continued. "You break it down pretty easy between pitching coach and pitcher after a long period of time."
Perhaps sensing the impending backlash, play-by-play man Dave O'Brien attempted to salvage the exchange and said teams were likely "concerned about nuance being lost in some of these conversations."
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Remy tweeted an apology Wednesday for his remarks during Tuesday's broadcast.
I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments during the telecast last night.
— Jerry Remy (RemDawg) (@Jerry_Remy) June 7, 2017
NESN, which broadcasted the game in New England, issued a statement disavowing Remy's comments and said they do not reflect the opinions of the network.
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NESN statement on Remy's translator remarks during last night's game #RedSox #wcvb pic.twitter.com/aidrut0tVK
— Scott Isaacs (@ScottIsaacs) June 7, 2017
The social media response to Remy's comments was a mixed bag. Some blasted the popular Sox personality for being intolerant, but many pushed back and suggested the criticism was unfair and a product of "PC culture."
Jerry Remy doesn't think Tanaka's translator should be allowed to come to the mound. "Learn baseball language", he says. Yikes.
— Will (@HeyMyNameIsWill) June 7, 2017
Mike Schmidt: I'm going to sound like somebody's racist uncle today. Jerry Remy: Hold my beer. https://t.co/DCPQb9IqWo
— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) June 7, 2017
and let's be honest, Jerry Remy criticizing any other person's command of intelligible English is frankly appalling https://t.co/8jy6IRsE1E
— Nathan Bernhardt (@jonbernhardt) June 7, 2017
Welp, Jerry Remy just got full on racist about Tanaka on the NESN broadcast. O'Brien trying hard to save it. Gah.
— Pete Owens (@petedotowens) June 7, 2017
I'm getting a lot of "Jerry Remy is a racist" replies. I've listened to him forever. He's not a racist. It was a very unfortunate comment.
— Sports Funhouse (@SportsFunhouse) June 7, 2017
I watch Red Sox games almost daily. Jerry Remy is far from offensive when he works. Stop making something out of nothing.
— AJ (@AJ_SpeckTGS) June 7, 2017
I don't mind the translators going to the mound but still annoyed by PC obsessed Snowflakes whining about Jerry Remy right now. #RedSox
— BostonSportsHub.com (@BostonSportsHb) June 7, 2017
The MLB added a rule in 2013 that allowed translators to participate in mound visits.
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
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