How Rick Renteria has made it a seamless transition for Alen Hanson

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A midseason transition to a new team is never easy, but Alen Hanson said the White Sox have made it as pliable for the infielder as possible.

Hanson said the ability to address with manager Rick Renteria in Spanish has made the in-season move much easier. The former Pittsburgh Pirates prospect said communication has been seamless, which hasn’t always been the case. Hanson, who joined the White Sox on Saturday a day after he was claimed off waivers, blasted the first home run of his career in Wednesday’s loss.

“For me it has been advantage to speak the same language that I do because we can communicate directly,” Hanson said through an interpreter. “That for me in the past has been a challenge because I didn’t have the opportunity to play for a manager who spoke the same language as me and the communication was a little difficult there. But with Ricky, since the first moment that I came here, we spoke, and we are on the same page. He seems to be like a very good guy, a guy who takes care of the players, and I like that.”

Hanson’s wife and child only joined him in Chicago late Wednesday night. They weren’t at the ballpark when he homered but saw the highlight of his 408-foot drive to right-center field. He already has the ball in his possession – he plans to give it to his mother -- and soon will have the lineup card, too. Hanson said teammates gave him a nice reception when he arrived back in the dugout.

The first few days have made what could be a situation full of tumult the exact opposite for Hanson, 24.

“It’s not something that’s easy, but it’s part of the business and you have deal to with it,” Hanson said. “I had a very long time with the Pirates and now I’m with the White Sox and I’m just trying to take advantage of this opportunity. The people here have treated me good. I like the guys here and I know some of them and it’s just a process.”

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