In the case of Roglio "Roger" Kahlon, fate has placed him in the middle of the New York Yankees' Clubhouse.
Kahlon, a West New York resident since 1999, is the official interpreter for newest Yankee superstar, Hideki Matsui, affectionately known in the baseball world as "Godzilla." The name was given to him in his homeland of Japan for his massive "Godzilla"-type home runs.
As Matsui's interpreter, Kahlon has found himself in the middle of one of the biggest international media circuses of this baseball season. Matsui may be a rookie here in the United States, but he is a superstar in Japan - so much so that there is an entire contingent of Japanese media permanently staked out in the United States covering his every move, on the field and off.
So, how exactly does one become and interpreter for a Major League Baseball phenomenon? After all, such a position isn't one that runs in the local classified section.
It turned out to be luck in Kahlon's case. And of course, the ability to speak Japanese.
It also helps to grow up in Japan.
Said Kahlon last week, "Well, a friend of mine named Robert Norton, who also grew up in Japan, used to translate for the Mets when they had the Japanese pitcher Masato Yoshii on their roster. He left there and actually translated for a very brief time for then-Yankee Hideki Irabu, but couldn't keep that job, as he already had a full-time career. So, when he heard about the Yankees' need for a translator for [Matsui], he called me."
According to Kahlon, at the time, he was selling real estate and renting an apartment in New York City. Said Kahlon, "Basically, I was fortunately doing something that I could extricate myself from quickly so I could do this job."
What followed were a series of interviews with Yankee brass. According to Kahlon, they were pretty nerve-racking. "Another interpreter for Irabu named Kota Ishijima was there in the first interview," he said, "as was Jean Afterman, who was the assistant general manager for the New York Yankees at the time." According to Kahlon, Afterman has since been promoted within the Yankee organization.
Ishijima was there to test Kahlon's grasp of Japanese. By the time of Kahlon's second interview, New York Yankees General Manager Brain Cashman, who is second in command to "The Boss" George Steinbrenner, sat in for half the interview. More importantly, Matsui was there as well with his PR person. Kahlon knew he was at least a front-runner for the position.
Said Kahlon, "I think the main reason I was picked had nothing to do with my Japanese. Hideki and I get along.
In fact, Hideki said in the beginning, 'The important part isn't speaking Japanese; it's helping me blend in.' " And judging from the season that Matsui is having so far, Kahlon has done his job well.
In essence, both Matsui and Kahlon were new to the "big leagues." Perhaps this engendered their relationship. Certainly, the white-hot spotlight surrounding Matusi must blind Kahlon from time to time?
"Not really," said Kahlon. "This is the first job of this type I've ever had, so I really have nothing to compare it to. Perhaps that helps me." Added Kahlon, "I try not to focus on the media part of it or I'd probably get really nervous."
To hear Kahlon tell it, both he and Matsui have gotten a lot of help from Yankee players and the organization. Said Kahlon, "Everybody on the team has been really nice, and that's helped both of us get acclimated to the team and to the situation."
Slowly learning English
According to Kahlon, Matsui is gradually learning some English words and phrases, and other Yankee players are in turn learning some Japanese.
Said Kahlon, "I've heard that he is learning [English] from other players. He'll ask me from time to time, 'How do I say this?' "
One aspect of the language barrier that some have wondered about is exactly how, during a game, Matsui converses with other players. After all, Kahlon can't be with Matsui on the field. Said Kahlon, "Well, during the regular season, non-uniformed people aren't allowed in the dugout. So I'll usually be in the clubhouse during a game and if there's a pitching change or if Hideki is a couple of batters away from going to the plate, I'll come down into the tunnel and clarify whatever needs clarification."
Interestingly, according to Kahlon, there are Japanese-English baseball dictionaries available. After all, there are certain American baseball phrases that have no meaning in Japan. For instance, saying "hit by pitch" to a Japanese player would have no meaning. In Japan, when a batter is struck by a pitch, it is called a "dead ball." So not only does Kahlon have to translate English and Japanese, but must also translate American Baseball and Japanese Baseball.
At some point, Matsui will learn enough English to get by on his own and Kahlon's job will become unnecessary. But Kahlon is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the most storied franchise in professional sports. Said Kahlon, "The first time I visited the stadium, I felt that 'special feeling' about Yankee Stadium. You see young people working in the clubhouse, but you also see people that are the age of my dad. You really feel the pride of being a Yankee."
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