Come to Think of It: A Cubs Fans' Props to Ozzie Guillen

Cubs and White Sox fans have a unique love-hate relationship. Basically, we love to hate each other.

Oh sure, I know there are the so-called “Chicago fans”, and while I’ve never really understood not having an allegiance to one team or the other, I do know a good baseball manager when I see one.

That manager would be one Oswaldo José Guillén Barrios.

I have tried awfully hard to never let the die-hard Cubs fan in me cloud my ability to be objective.

Sox fans who have been spoiled by the success of the 2005 team may ask, "what has Ozzie done for me lately?"

While I think it is somewhat natural to feel this way, as a Cubs fan, let me tell you that I would love to have Guillen managing my club.

But I know he would never manage the Cubs, because he would be puking all the time, though there could be a lucrative Pepto Bismal endorsement deal there for him.

With a nod to The Romantics, here’s what I like about you, Ozzie:

• I like the fire and passion he brings to the ballpark every day.

I’m not talking about kicking dirt and throwing bases. I mean, when you hear him talk you can actually feel the real passion he has for winning.

I recognize that he is always saying they should fire him, and all that nonsense. But that’s just his way of letting you know that he feels accountable as the manager. He doesn’t’ really want to quit.

Hey Lou, Ozzie may not be a dragon either, but he does have the fire.

• He manages a very solid game between the white lines.

Ozzie can quite simply manage the hell out of a ballgame. For example, he out managed Lou in today’s series opener at Wrigley, and he consistently makes good decisions on the field.

Is he perfect? Of course not, and I’m sure there are moments when Sox fans just want to scream.

But his managerial strategy is effective.

• He doesn’t coddle his players. Even the so-called superstars.

Ozzie is not afraid to publicly take a player to task if he does something that he doesn’t like, or if he is under-performing.

At the same time, he seems to really connect with his players. Sure, we’ve heard a few cowards leave the Sox and then offer criticism toward Ozzie after they’re gone, but it doesn’t occur that often.

Ozzie is not afraid to bench a player, and give him a day off when he’s struggling. When he does, he won’t usually sugarcoat it by saying the player is hurt, or making up some lame excuse.

This brings me to my next point.

• He tells it like it is.

He calls a spade a spade, and doesn’t seem to care what the consequences may be. His frank talk is especially refreshing in this time of politically correctness.

True, he is not sensitive; in fact, he can be downright insensitive at times. And yes, his Spanglish can be difficult to comprehend at times.

But you get the feeling that Ozzie is being straight with everyone, and is letting you know what he truly believes. He may be wrong at times, like all of us. But he is speaking from the heart.

• He is fun.

Ozzie is like a kid sometimes, bringing energy to the club, and entertaining the fans.

You get the sense that he hasn’t really changed much from his playing days. He has a terrific sense of humor. In short, he is a lot of fun.

While the bottom line is that Sox fans just want to win, at least The Blizzard of Oz can breathe life into almost any situation, even following a loss and during a dismal season.

I like Ozzie, come to think of it.