In any media environment, particularly in sports, the role of translators bears an insurmountable responsibility. They aim to convey every word spoken by players while typically condensing their message due to the current demands of media coverage.
I’m starting this piece with that caveat to emphasize that if any of Rafael Devers’ remarks today, when he was questioned about potentially moving to first base, are misinterpreted or misunderstood due to translation issues, such misunderstandings should not be blamed on anyone else.
Red Sox
Rather, it’s just an unfortunate aspect inherent to the profession as it stands today.
All of that being said, one particular 20-second clip has been circulating on Twitter, with the implication from many that Rafael Devers’ translator did not correctly convey the meaning of Devers’ words. This is not necessarily the case, and this clip is often being spread without a lot of context.
Here’s precisely what Devers stated in that segment (both in English and Spanish).
Firstly, after what happened with Casas, they came at me. I know I’m a player, but I can’t play every position nor adapt like the others do for just one spot. If played first base, you should know I won’t jump right into it.
So when it comes to Casas, he approached me, and I realize that I’m considered versatile, yet I cannot take on every role. There isn’t another way for me to adjust my game to fit into various roles. Should I start playing, everyone knows that I will not jump immediately into action.
In the context of that clip, people were largely overreacting on Twitter and spreading some inadequately translated responses. But, the context after that clip — and in the clarifying questions asked afterward — does show that Devers is clearly annoyed.
Continuation of quote:
But their decision wasn’t good; they came towards me, and I wonder why now. They themselves took me out of a position and told us we would say that I threw my glove, that I wouldn’t play that position anymore, which makes no sense for them to ask me to go back to playing it.
“But that is not a very good decision as it came to me, I don’t know why it was [made] now. If they removed me from a position… that I was not going to play my position anymore, it is something like nonsense to ask me to play a(nother) position again.”
This shows Devers’ feelings behind the decision and his initial answer, and tells us that he is indeed annoyed. But this annoyance is not from management asking him to do different jobs; it’s from the fact that management asked him to do a new job, he came around to it, did it for two months, and now they’re asking him to consider changing things around again.
Later, he explained that from his point of view, Alex Cora had nothing to do with this decision. The discussion regarding the change was solely between him and the management (likely referring to Craig Breslow). He felt frustrated because Breslow, being a former baseball player himself, should understand how challenging it is for an athlete to switch positions; it isn’t something one can easily demand just like in basketball.
Haz tu trabajo, busca otro jugador, entra en el mercado y creo que esta será la mejor decisión para aprender a desempeñarte en un nuevo rol… Sí, porque ellos no cumplen sus promesas ya que me cambiaron de posición y ellos mismos me aseguraron que eso no volvería a ocurrir; sin embargo, no mantienen su palabra.
They have to fulfill their responsibilities, which involves finding another player. They will head into the transfer market, and I believe this could turn out to be the wisest choice as they adapt to their new roles. Indeed, since they did not honor their commitments—having asked me to switch positions after assuring it wouldn’t occur again—they broke their promise.
In essence, the front office should handle their responsibilities, and he will manage his own.
He called things ugly multiple times, but it seemed to be more in the context of it would probably look ugly if he played first, not that it would be ugly for him to take on the role or switch up again.
He concluded the interview by stating that he is somewhat obstinate and likely won’t alter his stance on the matter, particularly since he has already made one switch during the current season.
Absolutely, he is irritated about this situation; moving up isn’t what he desires either. However, he has mentioned that determining whether to do so lies with the management team rather than being an issue for the athletes themselves to resolve.
He concluded the interview with a lighthearted jab at Breslow, saying, “The next thing you know, someone might get injured in the outfield, and they’ll want me to play out there.” However, he made sure to emphasize that his relations within the team and with management remain positive, and he is content with his current position.
This is how I aim to clear up misinformation and ensure that accurate details are circulating, though you’re welcome to understand this interview however you see fit.
