Ozzie Guillen: Twitter Explodes to Press Conference for Marlins Manager

Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen has found himself in a lot of hot water following positive comments about Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald. Now, he's trying to explain his actions.

Guillen has never been one to hide his true feelings about any subject, but praising Castro has drawn the ire of many in Miami. While candid comments are what makes Guillen so popular, he appears to have crossed the line this time around.

Buster Olney of ESPN reports Major League Baseball has begun looking into the matter now, which extends beyond the Marlins. Normally the league doesn't get involved in team matters, so this shows how large the situation has become.

"

MLB is reviewing the Ozzie Guillen situation.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 10, 2012"

CBS Sports' baseball insider Jon Heyman thinks Guillen's job may be in jeopardy because of the local impact his comments made. To say the manager regrets making the Castro statements would be an understatement.

"

Anyone who doesn't believe ozzie's job is in peril and thinks this is just a media thing does not live in miami. this is a BIG deal there

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) April 10, 2012"

The league's official Twitter feed is reporting Guillen will be suspended for five games by the Marlins. That probably won't be where this story ends, however.

"

BREAKING: @Marlins announce suspension of manager Ozzie Guillen for 5 games, effective immediately.

— MLB (@MLB) April 10, 2012"

After suspending Guillen, the Marlins released a statement about their manager's comments. They are obviously taking them very seriously knowing the size of the backlash.

"

The pain and suffering caused by Fidel Castro cannot be minimized especially in a community filled with victims of the dictatorship.

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 10, 2012"

Guillen apologized for the way his comments sounded but has stated his comments about Castro were lost in translation, according to TJ Holmes.

"

Listening to Ozzie Guillen's press conf.He's apologizing 4 comments on Castro but also suggesting some things were lost in translation.

— TJ Holmes (@tjholmes) April 10, 2012"

Anthony De Rosa of Reuters passes along another thought from Guillen, who said he knows he hurt a lot of people with his comments.

"

"I hurt the community without any intention, not only Cuban Americans but people outside the United States" - Ozzie Guillen

— Anthony De Rosa (@AntDeRosa) April 10, 2012"

At the very least, it appears Guillen finally grasped the sizable impact his comments made on people both inside and outside of the Marlins organization, as evidenced by a tweet from Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post.

"

Ozzie -- I feel like i betrayed the latin community. Im here to say im sorry with my heart in my hands

— joe capozzi (@joecapMARLINS) April 10, 2012"

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports bench coach Joey Cora, who followed Guillen from the Chicago White Sox, will manage the team until the suspension ends.

"

Source: Cora will manage #Marlins during Guillen's suspension.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 10, 2012"

Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock thinks Guillen should have taken a more direct approach with the press conference. Lack of knowledge about Castro is likely the reason the story has become much bigger in Florida than other portions of the country.

"

Why can't Ozzie just admit he was/is clueless about Castro and Cuban history. I had no idea until yesterday that Castro was Cuba's Hitler.

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) April 10, 2012"

"

Clarify: didn't know until yesterday that some Cubans view Castro as Hitler. If that makes me stupid, I'm guilty.

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) April 10, 2012"

Heyman sums up Guillen's comments to the media, but adds that a lot will still be decided once the community reacts to his apology.

"

to summarize, ozzie guillen apologized. a lot. he gets seriousness of remarks. reaction of community remains the key, tho

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) April 10, 2012"

NBC News reporter and sports fan Chuck Todd isn't surprised Guillen has caused problems for the Marlins; he just didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

"

Who had "April" in the Ozzie Guillen causes the Marlins a P.R. headache pool?I thought he'd get to June

— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) April 10, 2012"

Frank Thomas has gotten to known Guillen well over the years, and says that everything he said at the press conference was sincere.

"

After spending years of my life with Ozzie Guillen I can honestly say he has never been this apologetic.

— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) April 10, 2012"

Eric Fisher of Sports Business Journal passed along a couple of thoughts from MLB commissioner Bud Selig about Guillen's comments and the Marlins' response.

"

Selig issues statement supporting #Marlins 5-gm suspension of Guillen, says remarks were "offensive" and "have no place in our game."

— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) April 10, 2012"

"

More Selig: "I expect those who represent MLB to act with the kind of respect and sensitivity that the game’s many cultures deserve."

— Eric Fisher (@EricFisherSBJ) April 10, 2012"

Finally, USA Today's Bob Nightengale takes a note to see if Guillen learned his lesson and lives up to his promise. Only time will tell.

"

Clip and save: Ozzie Guillen says it will be the last time in his life he'll ever talk about politics. #Marlins #MLB

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 10, 2012"