Phillies Broadcasters Learn A New Language For A New Season
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Phillies open the regular season this afternoon in Cincinnati. Two of their broadcasters spent part of their off-season learning Spanish to help them communicate with players.
Radio play-by-play man Scott Franzke and Comcast SportsNet's Gregg Murphy took time this winter to begin learning Spanish. Franzke says it's something he's always wanted to do, and it may help him connect with Latino players.
"I think the guys appreciate when you try to meet them halfway," Franzke said. "I know we appreciate when they attempt it, you know, in English."
But right now on a one-to-ten scale, Franzke says his Spanish is a one.
"Learning a lot of concepts, and that's been great," he said. "But I've got a lot of vocabulary work to do."
Maybe he can get some help from Phils manager Pete Mackanin, who is fluent in Spanish.
By the way, Major League Baseball this year is requiring teams to hire Spanish translators for players.
