Guillen: Asian players treated better than Latinos

An innocuous question about Cuban rookie Dayan Viciedo's hitting ability gave White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen a launching point Sunday morning to address several Latino-related issues near to his heart.

One of Guillen's biggest peeves? The lack of translators in the minor leagues to help Latin Americans making the transition to America.

"Very bad," Guillen said. "I say, 'Why do we have Japanese interpreters and we don't have a Spanish one? Why do they have that privilege and we don't and we have more Latino players suffer than what (Asian players) are?"

Guillen recalled his 2007 visit to the White Sox's Appalachian League team to watch Oney, his middle son, play rookie ball.

Oney apparently served as the only translator on a squad loaded with Latin players. Meanwhile, Guillen said the team's lone player from Taiwan (pitcher Po-Yu Lin) had his own translator.

"Don't take this wrong, but they take advantage of us," Guillen said. "We bring a Japanese player and they are very good and they bring all the privileges to them.

"We bring a Dominican kid: (Bleep) you, you go to the minor leagues, good luck. Good luck. And it's always going to be like that. It's never going to change."

Guillen also noted the fact he made a video telling Latin American youngsters not to get caught up in using illegal supplements.

At the same time, he understands the allure of potential performance-enhancers.

"If you told me, If you take this (substance), you're going to be Vladimir Guerrero," Guillen said. "I'll pull my pants down. Hit me (with a needle). You know the why? Because the way the kids grow up. They don't know (better)."