In class, we discussed the impact of of the "Ming Dynasty" and how Yao Ming made an impression on Asians in American sports. We talked about two pitchers in the MLB, Hideo Nomo (the Tornado) from the Las Angeles Dodgers and Hideki Irabu from the New York Yankees. These two players entered the MLB before many other bigger named minorities. For example, Ichiro Sazuki has been an American League All-Star every year since his move to the States. Another well known Asian in baseball is Hideki Matsui who was just named the World Series Most Valuable Player. However, Matsui brings up an issue to some people.
As discussed in class, the LPGA made a requirement to know the English language before joining the tour. This made some classmates comment on the requirement, which I don't have an answer, is it right or wrong? However, going back to Hideki Matsui, after receiving his MVP trophy, he had a man on his side that helped with his interview as his translator. Hideki Matsui joined the New York Yankees in 2003. After being in the MLB for six years, some would think he should know the English language by now. Which makes me think of Yao Ming who has been in the NBA with the Houston Rockets since the 2002-2003 season and learned the English language fairly quickly. Each and every year, professional sports in the United States are becoming more global and popular and athletes from all over the globe are coming here to show off their skills. However, should the LPGA have gone so far as to say you must be able to speak English?
Another interesting topic from this class session was the fact of the number of Korean women in the LPGA. This number really stood out and shocked me as I wasn't aware how globalized the LPGA has become and they still insist on the English speaking rule. This raises another question, has the rule of being able to speak English shyed away women athletes from the LPGA? If so, is that right or fair to them? The LPGA is a golf association not a communication association where their ability to play golf should be the main focus and not the language they speak. As previously stated, I don't have the answers the these questions, they are just something to think about.
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I do not agree that players should be required to speak English. I do not know why the LPGA can not get interpreter to help them in interviews. It does not bother me that they do not speak English. Most baseball players that come from other countries do learn English after playing in the Majors for awhile. When Johnny Cueto of the Reds came up he did not know English, so they used their third baseman to translate when needed. Cueto has started to learn English after playing in the Majors for two years now.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that Hideki Matsui has not learned to speak English in the 6 years since he has been here. I remember hearing an interview that Ichiro had with Bob Costas, and he did it through an interpreter. He admitted that he could speak some English, but the use of an interpreter was basically a crutch, so as not to appear less fluent. If you remember, even Sammy Sosa used an interpreter after the "corking" incident, because he realized that what he said may not have been understood when he spoke in English, which was not his first language.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very interseting that so many Korean golfers are at the top of the LPGA tour. I do think that they should make an attempt to learn some English just to make things a little bit easier, but I do not think that there should be a rule that they have to. It should just be encouraged, and explained that they could probably make more money if they attempted to speak English. Other countries don't require us to speak their language.
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