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May 2, 2007
It has nothing to do with the fact that he has become a go-to guy out of Boston's bullpen, turning in one effective outing after another.
That's the Red Sox story, and they're sticking to it.
But the bottom line is that, as of today, Hideki Okajima, the impressive veteran left-hander Boston signed as a free agent from Japan, now has his own personal translator/interpreter.
The man's name is Jeff Yamaguchi. He's a former golf professional who has done some translating in Japan for pro golfers when they play in that country.
Sachiyo Sekiguchi, the Sox' Japanese media and player coordinator, had been handling those duties, but the team had been seeking a more permanent, personal translator for Okajima, as it has with Daisuke Matsuzaka., since spring training, said John Blake, vice-president of media relations.
Masa Hoshino performs that function for Dice-K.
Translators are not able to sit in the dugout during games, but can be in the batting cage and the area behind the dugout. Manager Terry Francona said that during batting practice, they sit in the dugout in case they are needed to impart strategy or instruction, but otherwise the Sox want the Japanese players to assimilate themselves with their teammates and vice versa.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 4:43 PM | Permalink
