Chicago White Sox manager and resident windmill Ozzie Guillen has a secret. But it's a secret that everyone already knew, wink wink, if they were being honest.
On Monday, the erudite Sox skipper admitted that he has retaliated against opposing teams that he feels were throwing at his team.
Yes, that means he has ordered his pitcher to throw at the other team's hitters.
“I’ve hit people before on purpose,” said Guillen.
“Yes I have,” Guillen continued. “Because that’s my job. Protect my players.”
Other than to give Guillen a slap on the hand for admitting to something that probably should have remained under wraps, I am of the opinion that in no way should MLB punish him for the admission.
For one, this wasn't one of Guillen's typical, off-the-wall rants. This was an even keel, intelligent look into the inner workings of a Major League Baseball clubhouse.
So what's next?
An admission that players drink beer after games, chew tobacco, and cheat on their wives while on the road? Wake me when some real news comes along.
Ozzie was simply telling the truth, and exposing what we all knew had happened many times. Sure, each time it happens, the manager says his pitcher wasn't throwing at the opposing hitter, hoping to avoid a fine and/or suspension. But we're not stupid.
So just because Ozzie doesn't fit the mold of the lying manager, he faces an almost certain suspension by Major League Baseball? Well, that's just wrong, people. That's hypocrisy at its finest.
“Sometimes people have to have a little bit of common sense,” Guillen said. “I’m talking about the umpires." There was the even keel, intelligent part of the tirade I'm talking about. For he's right—and though baseball won't want to hear it, in many cases, it's the umpires that cause the need for retaliation to get out of hand.
For they should understand that when one team's player is hit on purpose, the other team must be allowed to hit their player. That's the way it should be handled—by the teams themselves. That way, it's all even and it's (hopefully) over.
But when one team gets hit and the umpire comes out there and immediately issues a warning, then the other team can't retaliate without the pitcher and the manager getting kicked out of the game. And that just isn't fair. And it doesn't end the confrontation, either. It inflames it, in fact.
That's not specifically what happened in this case, however. This situation was more complicated, with a player charging the mound and all that. But it illustrates a point: Umpires do indeed need to use common sense, as Ozzie correctly points out.
So Ozzie has exposed one of baseball's dirty little secrets and stands to get fined and suspended for it? Well, I have just one question for the commissioner.
Hey Bud, who got suspended when Senator Mitchell exposed your dirty little secret, huh? Come to think of it, there's different justice for different people, I guess.
6 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Brian Eason 11 months ago
I love the last paragraph of this article. How true! I do not like Ozzie Gullien but you know what, this is all part of baseball. Part of the game and strategy.
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Bob Warja 11 months ago
Yeah, I'm obviously a Cubs fan and not a fan of Ozzie but what's right is right. I try not to let my fandom interfere with my objectivity when writing.
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Patti Rodisch 11 months ago
I don't think they will suspend him..If MLB wasn't aware of this they are even more clueless then I thought. All Ozzie did was speak for many other managers who think and feel the same way. The only reason why its getting the attention it is getting is because Ozzie doesn't know when to stop.. talking that is.. great piece.
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Bob Warja 11 months ago
Thanks Patti, but it's the nwespaper and internet that's saying he's likely to get suspended. I agree that he shouldn't, but let's see. I guess you could say it's Manny being Manny except it's Ozzie being Ozzie.
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Sam Brown 11 months ago
Yeah they suspended him for two games for his "aggressive actions on the field and his post game comments." Ludicrous if you ask me, if he had really "bumped" the umpire as the league claims he'd get a much longer suspension. Its just major league baseball taking a cheap shot on a guy who was obviously emotional after a tough day at the yard. I wonder why Pinella or LaRussa never get suspended for their antics and post game comments. Oh yeah, because they are old school and gritty. Ozzie, he's just immature and "loco."
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Bob Warja 11 months ago
Actually, Lou did get suspended after his big tirade last year for "inciting the crowd". But yes, it seems the league has it out for anyone that speaks their mind. Imagine if Cuban buys the Cubs - he'll get fined & suspended so much they'll make his NBA antics look like nothing.
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