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July 31, 2008

Foreign Relations

by @ 10:30 pm. Filed under Andrew Hess, West Michigan White Caps - July 2008

Whenever I am shagging balls in the outfield during batting practice or sitting in the bullpen trying to find something and anything to occupy my attention during down time I try to work on my foreign relations. In professional baseball, most of the time you will have several players from other countries and they are mostly Spanish speaking. So, I like to do what I can to find out what I can about my fellow teammates by attempting to get information across without knowing anything the other guy is saying. So far I have came to learn enough Spanish to not totally sound like an idiot while trying to converse with them, and to their credit many know enough English to let me know how things are. I have come to find out that my teammates from abroad are not just good ballplayers, but pretty good guys as well. So far I have managed to make up a handshake with my bullpen brother Kelvin Cedano, and have garnished many nicknames from some of the others (Flaco, meaning skinny, and “my friend” are the two most popular). We have also reached the point to where practical jokes are fair game to anyone. It used to be the American guys only messed with each other and vice versa, but now, if there is an easy target, no one is spared. I am very fortunate to be friends with these guys because as I said they as much to teach me as me to them. Plus somewhere down the line in life, whether it be in another job or travels, I think that being able to communicate with people who don’t even speak my same language may come in handy.

2 Responses to “Foreign Relations”

  1. Mary Powers Says:

    Hey Flaco,
    As corny as it may sound, this is how Peace on Earth begins- with two people finding out just how much humanity they share!! Keep up the good foreign relations, God knows we need it! Te Amo! Tia Maria (now that’s really corny)

  2. sean Says:

    really enjoy reading of life on the road and such. I will be at the Game on Thursday in midland. good luck and how do you rate midland against the rest of the midwest league, maybe i can catch you to get an auto or something. thanks

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