MLB: 5 Reasons Ozzie Guillen May Be Untouchable During the 2011 Season

Even though Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams wrote a lot of checks in the hopes of a contender in 2011, the club has been anything but in the first two months of the season.

Usually, an under performing team is cause for heat in the managers' position.  That doesn't appear to be the case with White Sox skipper, Ozzie Guillen.

Is it possible for this man to punch his ticket out of town?

Guillen seems to have the support of ownership over the course of his tenure at the helm.  He has weathered similar storms caused by his team's play as well as his frequent media rants as he negotiates his eighth MLB season in his position with Chicago.

This includes a terrible stretch last season before the club rebounded.  This year's club also suffered a slow opening two months and are currently eight and a half games out in the AL Central.

Here are a few factors that may keep Guillen safely in the White Sox dugout for at least the remainder of 2011.

1. Joey Cora Is Probably William's Best Option

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 28: Bench coach Joey Cora of the Chicago White Sox poses during photo media day at the White Sox spring training complex on February 28, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Cora has been a part of Ozzie Guillen's staff for eight years, having been third base coach before spending the last five years as bench coach.

Cora has an 11-year big league career on his resume to go along with his tenure with the White Sox.  He also has managerial experience in the low minors.

Cora has interviewed with Seattle and Milwaukee for openings in recent years and seems ready to make the jump to big league manager.  He has filled in for Guillen on several occasions and is Guillen's trusted confidant.

Cora obviously would be the man to replace Guillen from within the organization if a mid-season move were to be made.  Would he take the reigns from Guillen if Williams made such a move, or would Cora be loyal to Ozzie? 

2. Anyone Else on Guillen's Staff Is Purely a Short-Term Placewarmer

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BALTIMORE - AUGUST 09: Paul Konerko #14 of the Chicago White Sox is congratulated by third base coach Jeff Cox after hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on August 9, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by

Jeff Cox has spent nearly 40 years in baseball and has been in the White Sox organization since 2008.  He was on the coaching staff when Florida won the 2003 World Series and has been waving 'em home from the third base coaches box for the last three seasons.

Harold Baines is currently in his sixth season as first base coach with Chicago.  He has been on Guillen's staff since his first year as mansager in 2004.  Greg Walker and Don Cooper have been in their current positions of batting and pitching coaches since the Jerry Manuel days.

None of Guillen's remaining staff look to be an answer for anything more than a short interim stint while Williams searches a big name to take over. 

3. 2005

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 28: Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen reaches for his hat as he waves to fans from a double-decker bus during a ticker-tape parade for the White Sox baseball team October 28, 2005 in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White S

When you are the only baseball manager in town who has led a Chicago team to a title in nearly 200 combined seasons, it certainly can't hurt.

Guillen is also the only White Sox manager to ever take his team to the playoffs on two occasions.

A lot of fans remember that 2005 World Championship season—ownership certainly does.

4. History Is on Guillen's Side

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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 01: Manager Ozzie Guillen #13 of the Chicago White Sox returned to the bench after serving a two game suspension for a game against the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field on May 1, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Orioles defeated th

Since the White Sox current ownership group took over in 1981, they have changed managers in mid-season just twice.

And one of those times was done during Hawk Harrelson's ill-fated stint as GM.

The Hawkeroo canned Tony LaRussa (whatever happened to him?) midway through the 1986 season, eventually replacing him with Jim Fregosi.

The White Sox have not made a mid-season switch at manager since Gene Lamont was fired 31 games into the 1995 season by then GM Ron Schueler.  Terry Bevington was handed the keys and lasted until after the 1997 campaign.

Obviously Jerry Reinsdorf likes to stay the course.

5. What Big Names Are out There?

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OAKLAND, CA - MAY 27: Manager Buck Showalter of the Baltimore Orioles looks on against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on May 27, 2011 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty

If a guy like Buck Showalter was lurking in the shadows and Williams thought a change could spark a run to the playoffs, he may be able to suppress his ego and make a change to save the season.

Trouble is, I'm not sure that guy is out there.  There are few big name managers waiting for that next job right now.

Can you see Bobby Valentine in a White Sox uniform?  How about Don Baylor? 

I guess Jim Fregosi's available.

Conclusion: Guillen's Job Is Probably Secure Through 2011

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Manager Ozzie Guillen #13 of the Chicago White Sox smiles at fans before the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Rays 5-1. (Photo by Jonath

Guillen may or not be immune to the axe, but his job appears to be safe—for now.

It doesn't appear that Williams will be making a change in leadership in the middle of the season.  Guillen's fortunes may change after the season is over if the White Sox don't have a run in them over the last four months of play.

Then again, they may not.