And even as he grew into an all-star in 2010, Bautista did the fun and unglamourous stuff we associate with lower-profile players. ( Curtis Compton / TNS )When Cuban shortstop Yunel Escobar arrived, Bautista often translated for reporters interviewing him. Even before he blossomed, Bautista had become the type of player many major league teams needed: a fully bilingual bridger of cultural gaps. Or the Mets, who already field 35-year-old Jose Reyes and 36-year-old Adrian Gonzalez, might opt to make their lineup younger. Either of those developments could put Bautista in a familiar position — butting heads with an industry trend, seeking a way to around it.

Source: thestar May 23, 2018 22:18 UTC