Thank God That's Over

Now The Red Sox Can Begin the Worldwide Search to
Find a Translator for Matsuzaka's Translator

"Heck, Carl Everett made more sense than Tak Sato, agent Scott Boras' designated translator.

"When Daisuke Matsuzaka was asked about joining the greatest rivalry in sports on Thursday, his answer via Mr. Sato was, "Not even the game between Yankees and Red Sox in Japan maybe Giants and Tigers."

"That was one of the more understandable responses." -- 12.15.06, Jeff Jacobs, Hartford Courant

"During a 45-minute news conference, Matsuzaka smiled and laughed a lot. But Japanese reporters said Tak Sato, Matsuzaka’s translator, did not fully translate Matsuzaka’s responses, so the pitcher’s personality was mostly disguised from American reporters. A Japanese reporter provided a full translation and the words proved that Matsuzaka was poised and had a swagger, which is the scouting report for him on the mound, too." -- 12.15.06, Jack Curry, New York Times

"Matsuzaka’s interpreter’s command of the English language was shaky, and thus the pitcher’s translated comments were brief and, occasionally, unintelligible. About the only clear statement related by the interpreter was when Matsuzaka said, “I’m very happy and excited to be a member of the Boston Red Sox.” -- 12.15.06, Art Martone, Providence Journal

Dice-K's in the Fold