Ozzie Guillen to remain Chicago White Sox Manager up till 2012
Ozzie Guillen celebrated his birthday on Thursday and now he’s got another reason to be jubilant about, as the Chicago White Sox have announced the decision to keep the skipper on as the team’s manager up till 2012. The approval of Ozzie’s role came in an
opening Sox-fest Town Hall meeting, and there couldn’t have been a better time for the announcement.
Guillen has been the club’s manager for 7 seasons now and year 2012 will mark his 9thseason with the team. At the moment, he’s piled up 600 victories and is regarded as the club’s 3rd highest wins collector, following Jimmy Dykes and
Al Lopez who have a record of 899 and 840, respectively. He’s also tied up with Boston Red Sox manager, Terry Francona for the 4th longest serving skipper in Major League Baseball. In addition to that, he’s the only manager to lead the club to more
than one division titles.
Ozzie’s extension option was granted by the club, and the news were delivered by General Manager Ken Williams. The relationship between Ken and Guillen was strained last season due to some off field trouble. However, things look better now as the two have
put their differences aside and are working towards reforming the club’s baseball formation.
The players have raised their concern in tying up the matter and moving onto baseball. The major league will commence in April and the spring training session is what the club will require to shave off the edges in the team’s strategy.
“That's our point. That's what we want,” Guillen said. “I want people just to worry about (Adam) Dunn. Talk about (Jesse) Crain, talk about (Paul Konerko). Don't talk about Ozzie's contract, if you guys get along again. I don't think the players were distracted
(by) it. I think the fans and (coaches and the front office) were distracted about it. That's not easy, when you come to work and you don't want to come to work. It's happened to me. It's happened to him (Williams). It's happened to Jerry (Reinsdorf), too.”
“We got caught in the distractions and saying stuff,” Guillen said. “On my side, I don't think I helped good enough to get it done. This thing now, we just talk about the club and the fans, my family, his family, Jerry. Everyone is going to have a little
release about - I'm here for another day and no more questions about it, and that will help everyone.”
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