When it comes to Boston Red Sox’ officials who maintain a high profile, the names of Larry Lucchino, Theo Epstein and even Ben Cherington came to mind in an eye blink.
But one of the newer members of the Boston hierarchy fills a unique role and tends to be overshadowed by his bosses. Yet the position he fills is another reason why the Red Sox’ organization – from the big club all the way down to the bottom rung on the ladder – is the envy of major league baseball.
Duncan Webb, a native of Lynn, Mass. is in his second season as Boston’s Latin Education Coordinator.
“I describe my role as assisting Latin American players in all aspects and helping them in their transition,” said Webb, who graduated from Amherst in 2004 with a double major in psychology and Spanish. “Baseball in a way can be a universal language. You can put these guys on a field with American guys and they get along fine because they play the game the same way.
“But off the field is when they need help – especially outside of the (Fort Myers) complex. They end up finding themselves in a lot of situations that are new to them.”
These would be situations, which for American-born players. are as natural as rolling out of bed in the morning and jumping into a shower — situations like ordering pizza, figuring out bus schedules and managing their money. (They also should learn poker.)
“Early on in spring training we do the restaurant thing – ordering (in a restaurant) and ordering pizza on a cell phone – which is important,” said Webb. “Eventually we work on public transportation in Fort Myers. I give them bus schedules and a lot of guys study the numbers.
“With the transfers, a bus can take them to outlet stores where they can find great deals. And they enjoy learning it. Granted, I drive guys around when I can. But my hope is they will become so self-sufficient that they will go out to a mall or out to dinner and not be within walking distance, so they have to take a bus.
“I’m giving them the sense that they can go anywhere they want,” continued Webb.
Given the predominance of Latin American players on Boston’s lower-level teams and the fact this is the first time away from home for the bulk of those players, what the Red Sox are doing falls under the heading of common sense.
“The most important thing for these guys is to make the choice that they want to learn and want to become more mature adults,” said Webb. “They could spend 10 years here in the United States and not learn English. If they don’t put in the time, they won’t learn.
“As an organization, it’s our responsibility to provide those who want to learn an opportunity to learn.”
Webb also focuses on players taking responsibility for their own actions once they step outside the white lines.
For example, Gulf Coach manager Dave Tomlin has worked out an arrangement with City of Palms Park where Latin American players are allowed to set up a kitchen in the media room.
“Some guys early on said they spent too much money on food and wanted to cook their own,” explained Webb. “After Dave contacted the people at the park, the guys were able to cook their own meals. It allows them to save a lot of money, but they’re also responsible for cooking and cleaning up.
“If there wasn’t rice on the counter when they got in there, there shouldn’t be rice on the counter when they leave.”
When players leave the locker room, Webb “encourages” them to verbalize with non-Hispanics.
“I’m a firm believer that the best education these guys are going to get is not in the classroom with my teaching them grammar,” said Webb. “I encourage them to get out and practice on their own with different people.”
Good point.
Webb cited an example that occurred during his first year on the job, in spring training of last year, and which involved then 17-year-old shortstop Oscar Tejeda who’s from the Dominican Republic.
“There were a couple of American guys hanging around after practice that wanted his autograph,” related Webb. “I told the young guys to ask Oscar as many questions as they could in English. Oscar knew they wanted his autograph. But I wanted to give him an opportunity to practice with somebody he didn’t know and that wasn’t rehearsed.
“That kind of practice will allow him to improve as much as anything.”
What transpired next might have sent a minor shock wave through Red Sox Nation.
“As I was walking away they asked him, ‘Who’s your favorite big league player?’,” said Webb. “Oscar said ‘Alex Rodriguez.’ These two guys were pretty surprised by that. But one thing I’ll say about Latin American guys is that their favorite players are based on personalities and abilities more than the team they play for.
“They love guys like Papi and Manny. But it’s interesting that their favorite player could be a Yankee because that’s who they try to emulate their game after. We don’t have a problem with Oscar trying to emulate A-Rod.”
Webb also doesn’t have a problem if these young Hispanic players fail to qualify for the National Spelling Bee. But he would have a problem if, unlike Tejeda, they failed to converse in public.
“One thing I’m stressing is the ability to converse and understand when people are talking to them rather getting hung up on spelling,” said Webb. “At this point, it’s important for them to understand and communicate.
“I’d love them to spell the word ‘brought’ correctly. But the truth is they’re not going to get that right away. My time is better spent conversing and getting them practicing on their own.
“These guys are so young and their days are so long,” added Webb. “And being away from home for the first time, nothing is easy. But for the most part, the guys make it worth it.”
In the long run, this definitely makes it worth while for the Red Sox.
*Poker statement is a paid advertisement added August 2008.
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