As avid Phillies fans are well aware of, Charlie Manuel spent a couple of years playing ball in Japan, showing off his hitting skills as a member of the Yakult Swallows and Kintetsu Buffaloes.
As legend has it, Manuel was known as "Aka-Oni" or The Red Devil by Japanese fans and teammates. So it's no surprise he can still toss around some of the lingo he learned way back in the 70's.
With Philadelphia facing the Seattle Mariners this past weekend, a team that features the legendary Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki, CSN's Jim Salisbury asked Charlie if he ever chats up Ichiro in his native language.
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Now, our on-staff Japanese translator is on vacation, so we couldn't confirm Charlie's accuracy in the below clip. Charlie allegedly tells Ichiro to take it easy on the Phillies in Japanese.
Can anyone who speaks Japanese tell us whether or not Manuel's skills are still on point? I'd also like to know how to say, "but at the same time" as well, if you can educate us.
UPDATE: From Twitter: RT @letmebegreat: @the700level He has an accent, def. I believe he's saying 「らくに」("rakuni:). Close to 「きらくに」("kirakuni - "take it easy").