Red Sox announcer apologizes for comment about translators during games after facing backlash
New York Yankees star pitcher Masahiro Tanaka took to the mound at home on Tuesday night to face the team's historic division rival, the Boston Red Sox.
Tanaka pitched only five innings and gave up five runs on on five hits, including three home runs in a 5-4 loss to Boston -- but his performance wasn't what garnered the most attention during the game.
SEE ALSO: No baseball players featured on ESPN's most famous athletes of 2017
Tanaka, who was born in Japan, utilizes a translator whenever he needs to speak with his teammates or coaches, including in conversations on the mound while the game is going on.
During the game's broadcast, Red Sox color commentator Jerry Remy said he didn't believe translators should be permitted.
Listen to Remy's full comments below:
"I don't think that should be legal," he said after Tanaka's translator paid the pitcher a visit alongside the team's pitching coach, Larry Rothchild.
Remy implied that players who require a translator should simply "learn baseball language."
The comment was met with immediate criticism on social media, and even a bit of questioning from Remy's partner in the booth, Dave O'Brien.
See some of the backlash from baseball fans on Twitter:
Tanaka isn't the only Major League Baseball player who works with a translator.
Prior to the 2016 season, the MLB sent a directive to all teams requiring them to provide full-time Spanish translators for their players due to the large number of Spanish-speaking athletes in the league.
The announcer's statements came just over a month after Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones opened up about the racism he faces at Fenway Park. In response, the Red Sox have recently beefed up the penalties for racist taunts and acts from fans at Fenway.
Remy tweeted out an apology for his comments Wednesday morning:
I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments during the telecast last night.
— Jerry Remy (RemDawg) (@Jerry_Remy) June 7, 2017
Remy has been a broadcaster on the New England Sports Newtork, which broadcasts all Red Sox games, since 1988. Before working in television, Remy spent 10 years in the MLB as a second baseman. He played for the Red Sox from 1978 to 1984, making one All-Star team.
Take a look back at Remy's career:
