Manny Ramirez Refuses To Speak English At First Chicago Press Conference

Manny Ramirez, who just started with the Chicago White Sox, addressed the Chicago press for the first time–in Cleveland, snap–and insisted on using an English interpreter, played by none other than White Sox bench coach Joey Cora. Never mind the fact that Ramirez has lived in the States since he was 13 and speaks English just fine. Why? Who knows, but it makes for great show.

For a bit of perspective, here's Manny doing an interview in English the same day.

Strangely, Cora told the Chicago Sun-Times that Manny did it to "fit in".

''He knew he had to talk to the media, but he wanted to make sure that if he had to be there, he wanted to be there [on his terms], not so that someone else can interpret it. He did the smart thing.''

From what Ramirez explained to Cora, he has been misunderstood in the past in dealing with the media, and wanted to make sure there wouldn't be a repeat performance.

Ironic, no? That it took a foreign language for Ramirez to feel understood? Or maybe he's just being a smartass.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times