From Player To Mentor

[Empty Body]

Ramon Sambo, the IronBirds field coach, came to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1982. He played ten years of minor league baseball and has been a part of the Orioles organization for another eleven. A native Spanish speaker, Sambo has learned and is now fluent in English. We spoke to him about what it was like to come to the U.S. as a Spanish speaker, and what his role is now as a bilingual coach.
 
What was life like for you when you first came to the United States in 1982?
I didn't speak any English, and it was hard. When I had to go get something to eat or travel and had to figure out where to go and what to do, it was hard.
What about being a part of the Helena Phillies when you first got here?
Being a part of the team was okay, I just wanted to play. I was fine. I had two teammates; one knew English better than the other Latino guys on the team, so he would help us out. There were three of us Spanish-speaking guys, by working together, we were able to get adjusted to American culture.
How did you learn to speak English?
I never took any classes. I like to watch a lot of TV to learn the language. I got married to an American girl who showed me how to live in the states and helped me learn a lot too.  

So now that you are coaching a team that has a few Spanish-speaking players, how has your role changed?
I feel like because of where I come from it's my responsibility to guide them and tell them how life is here. Even though you can translate stuff on your phone now and it's easier to learn, these guys still have to learn how to live under the rules of the United States.
You have to guide them to show them what they have to do outside of baseball. On the field, you know what you're supposed to do, but outside it's not as easy. The hardest thing was the language; a couple of those guys have struggled to get around or ask for directions, so I am here to help as much as I can.
What's a fun baseball phrase fans should know in Spanish?
Keep it simple, "Buen trabajo," which means "good job."