Ozzie Guillén

Ozzie Guillén was born to compete. The competition and motivation to win were the forces that drove the 5-foot-11 shortstop and future manager to put on the uniform every day. The fiery and combative personality was on display every game. He often vocalized his opinions; making controversial statements to the press became his trademark, much to the dismay of management. Often Guillén’s comments would make it on the internet and in newspapers. Victims included former players, like future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas and White Sox general manager Ken Williams. Even the local press in Chicago was not immune from outbursts. His Gold Glove, clutch hitting, and work ethic helped him enjoy a 16-year major-league career. His aggressive nature and knowledge of baseball led him to a World Series title as the manager. But he was unable to manage his mouth and temper his comments. That inability eventually drove him out of baseball.

Oswaldo José Guillén Guillen Barrios was born on January 20, 1964, in Ocumare del Tuy, in northern Venezuela. Guillén’s mother, Violeta, was a school principal. Ocumare del Tuy is known for its warm and clear climate. The average temperature is 64 to 83, with 60 days of rainfall annually: ideal conditions for playing baseball. Ozzie’s childhood was not easy. He witnessed criminal activity in many forms. His formal education lasted until the seventh or eighth grade. The only outlet was baseball. The weather was perfect and it was his ticket out of poverty. Ozzie was determined to prove the doubters and naysayers wrong, by making it to the major leagues in the United States. The drive to prove people wrong was what propelled him to keep striving for the next step.

The person who had the most profound influence on Guillén’s young life was Ernesto Aparicio, a longtime youth baseball coach and the uncle of Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio. Ernesto saw Guillén play and wanted to instruct him. Aparicio was the only teacher who could reach Ozzie. Guillén was not a great student, he only wanted to play baseball. All of his teachers reported to his mother about his lack of coursework. His teachers flunked him, and he turned to the prospect of playing professional baseball. Guillén had something that could not be taught and it made a huge impression on Aparicio: his love of the game.

Ozzie was signed by the San Diego Padres on December 17, 1980, a month shy of his 17th birthday. He was assigned to the Padres Gulf Coast League rookie team for the 1981 season, one of several teenagers on the team. He played in 55 games, finishing the season with a .259 batting average in 189 at-bats. Each year he moved up the Padres minor-league system, and played the entire 1984 season for the Padres’ Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Stars. The next step was breaking camp with the big-league club in spring training 1985. Before that could happen, Guillen’s career took a different path.

The Padres were coming off a 92-win season and a trip to the World Series in 1984. Even though they lost to the Detroit Tigers in five games, the plan was to add pieces to win it all in 1985. They had future Hall of Famer players Tony Gwynn and Goose Gossage, along with a veteran-laden team. They felt they needed one more ace to get them over the hump to win the first championship for San Diego. The Padres wanted a proven starting pitcher while the White Sox wanted a young player to take over at shortstop. The clubs hooked up for a seven-player trade on December 6, 1984. The Padres acquired starting pitcher LaMarr Hoyt and two minor leaguers, and the White Sox received two pitchers, a utility player, and one young shortstop who had yet to play a major-league game: 20-year-old Ozzie Guillén.

The Chicago White Sox were coming off a disappointing fifth-place finish in 1984, going 74-88 and finishing 10 games out of first place. They were managed by future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa. The shortstop for the 1984 team was Scott Fletcher. The White Sox wanted an upgrade at the position, and also wanted to dump salary. Owner Jerry Krause had roots as a baseball scout and he had watched Guillénplay at Las Vegas. Krause1 said, “He’s as smart a young player as I have ever seen.”2 He liked what he saw. He liked his hustle and the way he played the game.

Guillén married Ibis Cardenas in 1983. They had three sons. Ozzie Jr. was born in 1985, followed by Oney in 1986 and Ozney in 1992. Ozzie Jr. earned his MBA and went to work for Cisco Systems. Oney was drafted in the 36th round by the White Sox in the 2007 amateur free-agent draft. He played two seasons of minor-league baseball before he retired and became a scout. Ozney was drafted by the White Sox in 2010, but retired as a player after five seasons of independent-league baseball. He managed the Houston Astros’ short-season affiliate in the New York-Penn League in 2019.

Ozzie Guillén made the 1985 White Sox in spring training. He joined three future Hall of Fame players – Carlton Fisk, Harold Baines, and Tom Seaver. Guillén’s style of play earned him comparisons to two Venezuelan shortstops who had storied major-league careers, Luis Aparicio and Dave Concepción. Guillén idolized both; he chose the number 13 in honor of Concepción. Guillén was in the starting lineup on Opening Day, April 9, 1985, leading off and playing shortstop. The White Sox were playing at Milwaukee. He got his first major-league hit in the top of the ninth off Brewers pitcher Ray Searage, a bunt single to first base. His first professional hit defined Guillén’s hustling style of play. He finished the game 1-for-5 at the plate, while making two putouts and getting three assists at shortstop in a 4-2 win over the Brewers in front of 53,027 fans.

The White Sox finished the 1985 season in third place in the American League West Division, six games behind the eventual World Series champions Kansas City Royals. Their 85-77 record was an 11-win improvement over the previous season. Guillén won the Rookie of the Year voting, receiving 72 percent of the first-place vote. He finished with a .273 batting average, one home run, 33 RBIs, and 134 hits in 150 games.

While Guillén was fast becoming a Chicago fan favorite, he was also gaining a reputation for being a talker. His teammate and future White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Guillén was “nonstop, never shuts up. He’s talking to me, he’s talking to umps, he’s talking to fans, he’s talking to the base runners.”3 The talker reputation would follow Guillén for the rest of his career, as both a player and a manager.

Guillén was considered a free swinger at the plate. In his rookie season he struck out 36 times and drew only 12 walks. The next season, in 547 at-bats, he struck out 52 times and again drew only 12 walks. Jim Fregosi, who managed Guillén for the White Sox from 1986 to 1988, considered him the “best defensive player I’ve ever seen,” adding, “Nobody reads a groundball like Ozzie.”4 However, Fregosi wished his star shortstop would be more “disciplined and not swing at every pitch.”5 Guillén finished his 16-year career with 511 strikeouts and only 239 walks. However, in a testament to the way he played the game, his 511 whiffs constituted less than 8 percent of his at-bats.

Guillén spent 13 seasons with the White Sox, from 1985 to 1997. He suffered torn ligaments in his right knee in a collision with teammate Tim Raines in the 13th game of the 1992 season. A pop fly in short left field by the Yankees’ Mel Hall in the top of the ninth inning sent Guillén back and Raines racing forward. They collided, allowing Hall to reach second base. Guillén left the game with his knee in tatters. Guillén’s season was over. Before the 1992 season he had made the All-Star team three times (1988, 1990, and 1991). He earned a Gold Glove in 1990. His career can be defined by two halves, one before the injury and one after the injury.

Guillén’s playing career with the White Sox ended after the 1997 season. His contract called for an automatic club option for $4 million for 1998 if he reached 550 plate appearances, with a $500,000 buyout. At age 34, he finished the season with 527 plate appearances, batting .245 with 120 hits, 4 home runs, and 52 runs batted in. He still maintained his excellence in the field, committing only 15 errors in 570 chances, for a .974 fielding percentage. The White Sox chose the buyout. Guillén signed with the Baltimore Orioles on January 29, 1998. He appeared in 12 games for the Orioles, playing shortstop and third base. He went 1-for-18 and was released on May 1. Guillén signed with the Atlanta Braves on May 6. The Braves were looking for a utility player, one who could come off the bench.

Guillén spent the rest of the 1998 season and all of 1999 with the Braves. He provided veteran leadership while playing all of the infield positions. He made his first World Series appearance in 1999 for the Braves versus the New York Yankees, going 0-for-5 in three games in the Yankees’ sweep. The Braves released Guillén after 2000 spring training, and he immediately signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. He played in 63 games for the Rays, mostly at shortstop. He signed with the Rays for the 2001 season, but decided to retire to begin his coaching/managing career.

Guillén finished his 16-year playing career with 1,764 hits, 28 home runs, 619 runs batted in, and a .264 batting average. His calling card, his glove, defined his career. He made only 222 errors in 8,468 chances for a .974 fielding percentage, while playing one of the busiest positions on the field.

The next chapter of Guillén’s career started in Montreal. He became a coach for the Expos in 2001, then the next season joined Jack McKeon’s Florida Marlins, and was their third-base coach in 2002-03. The 2003 team won the World Series over the New York Yankees.

Guillén was ready to take his next step: managing. While the Marlins shocked the baseball world by beating the 101-win Yankees team, the Chicago White Sox finished second in the AL Central Division with an 86-76 record under six-year manager, Jerry Manuel. The White Sox made the playoffs only once under Manuel. They finished first in 2000, but lost to the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series. Manuel was voted Manager of the Year in 2000 but the team missed the playoffs he next three seasons. Ken Williams, Guillén’s former teammate and now the club’s general manager, was looking to breathe some new life into a White Sox team that had not been to the World Series since losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959.

Guillén had an interview set with Williams for the end of October 2003. He was in the middle of the World Series as the third-base coach of the Marlins, so some in the press thought his chances were not good to get the White Sox job. Others were being considered for the job – former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston and other former managers Wally Backman, Buddy Bell, and Terry Francona. Guillén learned that Kenny Williams was leaning toward hiring Cito Gaston and became irate and wondered if “he was wasting his time if Williams’ mind was already made up.”6 Gaston was the manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-93. Guillén and Williams had a heated exchange discussing the managerial opening and Williams’s leanings toward Gaston. Guillén’s fiery personality changed Williams’s mind. Williams felt his personality was just what the White Sox needed. Guillén was named the White Sox manager on November 3. Guillén became the first Venezuelan manager in the major leagues.

It did not take long for Guillén to raise eyebrows. His first game as manager was Monday, April 5, 2004, versus the Kansas City Royals. It was Opening Day game at Kansas City in front of 41,575 fans. The White Sox built a 7-3 lead going to the bottom of the ninth. The bullpen could not hold the lead, surrendering six runs in the bottom of the ninth and giving the Royals a 9-7 win. Guillén addressed his team, and told them to “go out and get drunk, do whatever … forget about this game.”7 He thought it was an innocent comment, but it was picked up by the press. Guillén did not apologize for the comment, saying he just wanted his players to forget about the game and be ready to play the next day. The comment may have worked, for the White Sox won the next game. The White Sox finished the 2004 season with an 83-79 record, earning a second-place finish in AL Central, nine games behind the Minnesota Twins. However, no one expected the season that lay ahead. The 2005 White Sox were ready to make history and Ozzie Guillén was ready to take his team to the next level.

The main theme for the 2005 White Sox was respect. Guillén felt the team needed to go earn it on the field. He always felt he and his teams were not getting the respect they deserved. Guillén first wanted the team to pick up his 2006 option before the 2005 season started. The team eventually did so in late May. Ken Williams made some trades and moves, setting the pieces in play for a historic 2005 run. The team had let longtime outfielder Magglio Ordóñez walk in free agency at the end of the 2004 season. He and Guillén did not get along. Guillén and Ordóñez had an exchange of words in the early part of 2005, which garnered a lot of front-page press. Ordóñez felt Guillén was behind the White Sox decision not to re-sign him. He called Guillén his “enemy.”8 The White Sox traded outfielder Carlos Lee to the Milwaukee Brewers for another outfielder, Scott Podsednik. Guillén also had an exchange of words in the press with Carlos Lee. This was be a pattern in Guillén’s life. He would lash out in the harshest way if he felt a player was not hustling, not giving everything, and was not loyal.

The 2005 White Sox finished first in the AL Central Division with a record of 99-63. It was a dramatic turnaround from the previous season. All the pieces were in place and everything clicked. Guillén’s White Sox swept the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox in the Division Series, then defeated the Anaheim Angels four games to one in the Championship Series. They squared off against the Houston Astros in the World Series. The surprising Astros were led by future Hall of Fame sluggers Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. They also had six-time All-Star Lance Berkman filling in for an injured Bagwell. The Astros pitching staff was led by All-Stars Roy Oswalt, Andy Pettitte, and Roger Clemens, and closer Brad Lidge. The White Sox swept the Astros in four games with Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye, and Paul Konerko providing the offense. The pitching staff was led by Mark Buehrle, José Contreras, and closer Bobby Jenks. The White Sox had finally reached the top of the mountain with their scrappy manager. But a quick rise to the top could only mean a quicker fall.

Guillén was named the American League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News. He was the fifth White Sox manager to win the award. There was some discord, though: Guillén skipped the team’s visit to the White House. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley felt Guillén should go to the White House. However, Guillen said he had already set his Venezuelan vacation for the same time as the White House visit. White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf defended Guillén, saying he had done everything asked of him after the World Series.

The next offseason story was Frank Thomas. Thomas was declared a free agent on November 8, 2005. He and general manager Williams did not get along, especially since his last contract with the White Sox contained a “diminished skills” clause. As the controversy unfolded in the press, Guillén took Williams’s side.

Over the offseason the White Sox made several additions and had several departures. In addition to Frank Thomas, they traded Aaron Rowand to the Phillies and added future Hall of Fame designated hitter Jim Thome. They finished the 2006 season in third place in the Central Division with a record of 90-72, six games behind the division champion Minnesota Twins. The 2007 season was a disappointment: The White Sox plummeted to a record of 72-90. They rebounded in 2008 with a first-place division finish but lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the Division Series. The 2009 season ended in another losing record (79-83) and a third-place finish. The 2010 team improved to 88-74 and a second-place finish. But Guillen was nearing an end to his time with the White Sox. The only question was how ugly it would get.

There had been tensions brewing between Guillén and Williams. They included many squabbles and disagreements. Guillén wanted a contract extension and raise. However, Reinsdorf was unwilling to give one given the sub-.500 season they were about to conclude. (The team finished 78-82.) Even Guillén’s son, Oney, made comments on social media criticizing the front office. They cost Oney his job in the White Sox scouting department. The Miami Marlins were about to finish the 2011 season in fifth place in the National League East with a 72-90 record. They had gone through three managers during the season. They were looking for a new voice in the clubhouse, and contacted the White Sox about Guillén’s availability. The Marlins and White Sox agreed on a trade in late September 2011 as the season neared an end. The Marlins sent two minor-league players to the White Sox for Guillén. Guillén became the manager of the Marlins for the 2012 season.

Guillén was introduced as manager of the Miami Marlins on September 28, 2011. He signed a four-year, $10 million contract. Guillén inherited a team composed mostly of veterans with a few young players. He persuaded veteran pitcher Mark Buehrle to join the Marlins from the White Sox. Veterans Carlos Lee, Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Zambrano, and Aníbal Sánchez anchored the team along with young stars Giancarlo Stanton, Nathan Eovaldi, and Logan Morrison. Guillén was the third-base coach when the Marlins won the 2003 World Series. It was hoped that he would find happiness, stability, and peace with the Marlins, having been given a long-term contract he so desperately craved. However, the honeymoon with the Marlins would be short and he quickly began to wear out his welcome.

Guillén sat down with Time magazine during spring training. The magazine’s article was published on April 9, five days after Opening Day. Guillén covered a wide range of topics, from baseball to bullfighting to politics. Most of his comments did not raise any concern. However, it was his comments on Fidel Castro that gained headlines. “I love Fidel Castro … I respect Fidel Castro. … You know why? A lot of people wanted to kill Fidel Castro for the last 60 years, but that (expletive) is still here.”9 This comment created a firestorm and many called for Guillén’s resignation. The outrage was especially high in the Miami Cuban community, many of whom had risked their lives to escape the communist regime. The Marlins suspended Guillén for five games. Guillén apologized for his comments, asking for forgiveness. The apology was not enough to stop the protests at the Marlins ballpark and calls for the Marlins to fire him. This was just the beginning of a trying year for Guillén and the Marlins.

The Marlins brought in a number of free agents to bolster the team. They also opened a brand new $634 million ballpark. The Marlins were 41-44 at the All-Star break, in fourth place and nine games out of first place. The season did not get better. The Marlins finished with their worst record in 13 years, in last place in the National League East with a 69-93 record, 29 games behind the first-place Washington Nationals. Players were making negative comments in the press about their opinionated managers. The final nail in Guillén’s job as manager came when he criticized Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. Guillén said, “If Jeffrey doesn’t think I’m doing the job I should do … it’s not the first time he’s fired a manager. Look yourself in the mirror and ask why so many (expletive) managers come through here.”10 Needless to say, the comments were not taken favorably. Guillén was fired on October 23, after just one season on the job. The Marlins still owed him $7.5 million on his contract. The disappointing season along with his comments earlier in the season about Castro made for an easy decision for the Marlins at the end of 2012.

Ozzie Guillén will be remembered as player who hustled, played the game the right way, and played like an underdog with a chip on his shoulder. He loved the game of baseball. Playing baseball was all he ever wanted to do. He was able to carve out a 16-year major-league career. He wanted to transition to coaching, hoping one day to manage. He got his big break, taking the reins of the White Sox. He led them to their first World Series championship since 1917. He was opinionated and everyone knew his style. However, it was his opinions and brash attitude that prompted his downfall and cost him his jobs as manager. Only time will tell if this is how is he is remembered.

Guillén has said he wants to get back into baseball. He has granted some interviews and has shown a level of maturity and contrition. He has done some television work and coaching in the Venezuelan Baseball League. He has made some appearances at the annual SoxFest festivities. His son, Ozney, has been working in baseball, most recently with the Astros.

Last revised: March 1, 2025

Sources

In addition to the sources cited in the Notes, the author consulted Baseball-Reference.com and the following:

Greenstein, Teddy. “Reinsdorf Bored with Issue, Says Guillen’s Done ‘Everything’ Thus Far,” Chicago Tribune, February 10, 2006.

Price, S. L. “War of the Words,” Sports Illustrated, March 20, 2006: 74-81.

Rogers, Phil. “Guillen Won’t Sell Himself Short,” Chicago Tribune, March 2, 1997.

Notes

1 Krause would go on to fame as the owner of the Chicago Bulls and the architect of their championship run in the 1990s.

2 Brett Ballantini, The Wit and Wisdom of Ozzie Guillen (Chicago: Triumph Books, 2006), 18.

3 Richard Hoffer, “Heeeere’s Ozzie,” Sports Illustrated, April 6, 1992: 93-95.

4 Hoffer.

5 Hoffer.

6 Ballantini, 25-26.

7 Scot Gregor, “Guillen Not Apologizing for ‘Drunk’ Comment,” Chicago Daily Herald, April 8, 2004.

8 Ballantini, 52.

9 Ken Rosenthal, “This Time Guillen Has Gone Too Far,” foxsports.com, April 9, 2012. https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/ozzie-guillen-should-be-suspended-by-miami-marlins-for-fidel-castro-comments-040912.

10 Sport Xchange. “Guillen’s Comments Anger Marlins Owner,” Chicago Tribune, September24, 2012. https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/whitesox/ct-xpm-2012-09-24-chi-guillens-comments-anger-marlins-owner-20120924-story.html.