They say there is no crying in baseball. After spending 25 seasons in the game, Ozzie Guillen should know that better than anyone.
But even Guillen couldn’t hold back the tears on Friday afternoon. During a surprise announcement on CHSN, former World Series hero Scott Podsednik revealed that Guillen’s No. 13 will be retired on August 8, making him the first manager in franchise history to receive the honor.
It’s an announcement that was a long time coming. You cannot tell the story of White Sox baseball without Guillen, who currently serves as the voice of the pre-and postgame show.
He joined the White Sox in 1985 as a skinny middle infielder from Venezuela. After thirteen years in a White Sox uniform, he had been voted Rookie of the Year Award, earned a Gold Glove Award, and made All-Star appearances, all while serving as one of the vocal leaders in the White Sox clubhouse.
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While Guillen was never known for his offensive prowess, he made up for it with a smooth glove and aggressive style of play. He played a key role in the White Sox’s American League West title in 1993, just one year after missing nearly the entire 1992 season with a severe knee injury.
Guillen bounced back with one of the best offensive seasons of his career, hitting .280 with a career-high four home runs and 50 RBIs in 134 games. He also contributed in the postseason, batting .273 and scoring four runs in the American League Championship Series, though the White Sox ultimately fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games.
After leaving the White Sox as a free agent in 1998, he returned to the South Side, replacing Jerry Manuel as manager in 2004. It took him just two seasons to guide the team to its first World Series title in 88 years. After eight years at the helm, he had amassed a 678-617 record as the White Sox skipper, which included a pair of postseason appearances.
Guillen’s tenure wasn’t without controversy. Known for his blunt, unfiltered style, he drew criticism for several comments during his time in Chicago, and his exit from the organization was anything but smooth. His stint with the Miami Marlins ended abruptly after remarks expressing support for Fidel Castro.
But that same unfiltered honesty is what has endeared Guillen to generations of fans. Whether as a player, manager, or broadcaster, you always know exactly what you’re going to get: an authentic Ozzie.
