Ozzie Guillen

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Full Name: Oswaldo Jose (Barrios) Guillen Primary Position: SS Height/Weight: 5' 11"/150 First Game: April 9, 1985 Birthdate: January 20, 1964 Final Game: October 1, 2000 Birthplace: Ocumare del Tuy, Miranda (Venezuela) MLB Experience: 16 years Bat/Throw: Left/Right

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[edit] Biography

Oswaldo José Guillén Barrios (born January 20, 1964 in Ocumare del Tuy, Miranda State, Venezuela), well known as Ozzie Guillén, is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball and the current manager of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox. His career stretched from 1985 through 2000, playing for the White Sox (1985-97), Baltimore Orioles (1998), Atlanta Braves (1998-1999) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Following his playing career, Guillén coached for the Montreal Expos in 2002 and Florida Marlins in 2003.

Guillén is a member of the select group of weak hitting shortstops that emerged from Venezuela, a group that includes Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio, Dave Concepción and Omar Vizquel. As a player, he was regarded for his passion, speed, hustle, and defensive abilities, with his love for the game still intact.

In 1985, Guillén received both the AL Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year awards. Then, he was selected an All-Star in 1988, 1990-91, and won the Gold Glove Award in 1990. Guillén ranks among the White Sox all-time leaders in games played, hits and at-bats.

After serving as third base coach for the 2003 World Champions Florida Marlins, Guillén was hired in the offseason to replace Jerry Manuel as White Sox manager. He received a rousing ovation from the crowd of 37,706 Chicagoans when introduced before his first game as a skipper at U.S. Cellular Field on April 13, 2004.

On May 30, 2005, the White Sox extended Guillén's contract, making the move while the team had the best record in the majors (33-17). Chicago picked up the 2006 option on his contract, added two more years and included an option for the 2009 season. In October, he led the White Sox to their first AL pennant since 1959, and their first World Series' win since 1917 with a 4-game sweep against the Houston Astros. Guillén announced that he was going to retire after the 2005 season should the White Sox win the World Series, but at the parade celebrating the World Champions he received cheers from the fans when he announced he would indeed return to manage the next season. In November, he was named AL Manager of the Year.

In 2006, his first year of eligibility, Guillén received less than 5% of the vote (he received 5 votes; the threshold was 26) from the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, thus becoming ineligible to appear on future BBWAA ballots. However, he may eventually be considered for induction into the Hall by the Veterans Committee once 20 years have passed from his date of retirement as a player (therefore, in the year 2021), in accordance with current Hall of Fame rules (enacted in 2001). Guillén may also eventually garner consideration for Hall of Fame inclusion based on his accomplishments as a manager.

Guillen enjoys playing golf in Izcaragua Country Club when he visits Caracas. He also is a frequent columnist for the Venezuelan newspaper, El Universal.

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[edit] Transactions

• Signed as a non-drafted free agent by San Diego Padres (December 17, 1980).
• Traded by San Diego Padres with Tim Lollar, Bill Long and Luis Salazar to Chicago White Sox in exchange for LaMarr Hoyt, Kevin Kristan and Todd Simmons (December 6, 1984).
• Granted free agency (October 31, 1997).
• Signed by Baltimore Orioles (January 29, 1998).
• Released by Baltimore Orioles (May 1, 1998).
• Signed by Atlanta Braves (May 6, 1998).
• Granted free agency (November 2, 1998).
• Signed by Atlanta Braves (December 2, 1998).
• Released by Atlanta Braves (April 5, 2000).
• Signed by Tampa Bay Devil Rays (April 5, 2000).
• Granted free agency (November 9, 2000).
• Signed by Tampa Bay Devil Rays (December 6, 2000).

[edit] Trivia

• 3 Time All-Star: 1988, 1990, 1991
• 1985 Rookie of the Year

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