Home Run Derby viewers critical of ESPN reporter's bilingual interviews (Poll)

Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics reacts during the final round of the Chevrolet Home Run Derby on July 15, 2013 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Earlier this week, Cuban player Yoenis Cespedes took home the trophy for Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby. But a moment off the field was also in the spotlight ... when he was interviewed by ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez.

Earlier this week, Cuban player Yoenis Cespedes took home the trophy for Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby. But a moment off the field was also in the spotlight.

When ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez interviewed Cespedes after the game, he asked the native Spanish speaker a question in Spanish, then translated the answer in English.

Almost immediately on social media, people went to congratulate Cespedes, but also criticized Gomez for doing the interview in Spanish:

Not sure why we had to hear the Pedro Gomez interviews in Spanish. Put that crap on ESPN Deportes. We speak English in 'Merica.
— Dan Harris (@ItsGucciTime4)

Hey Pedro Gomez you're so cool speaking English and Spanish to Yoenis!!! New HR derby rule: you can't partake if you can't speak English.
— Cary Panichello (@CPanichello)

Some also responded positively to Gomez's grasp of both languages:

Watching

conduct an interview in English and then Spanish simultaneously is incredibly impressive. Trust me. Very difficult.
— Eric SanInocencio (@EricSan)

Watching @pedrogomezESPN conduct an interview in English and then Spanish simultaneously is incredibly impressive. Trust me. Very difficult.
— Eric SanInocencio (he/him) (@EricSan) July 16, 2013

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What's wrong with Spanish on the field? Joining us is ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez and Adrian Burgos Jr., professor of history at the University of Illinois and author of, "Playing America's Game: Baseball, Latinos, and the Color Line."

Weigh In:

Do you agree with the criticism of ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez's bilingual interview?

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