Busy day on White Sox beat
Busy day for the White Sox on Monday in advance of this weekend’s SoxFest at the Palmer House.
Let’s get to it:
-There is only one person who knows where Ozzie Guillen keeps the mute button – Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
Obviously sensing more storms following some of Ozzie’s Twitter comments last Friday regarding his abrupt departure, Reinsdorf issued a statement late Monday afternoon:
"Regarding Ozzie Guillen's departure as White Sox manager last September, I want to make it clear that he left with our organization's blessing and at my urging. Ozzie told me he wanted to finish out the year, the Marlins really wanted him in Miami for the conclusion of the season, and I told him that he had no choice but to go given the excitement surrounding the opening of their new stadium and the unveiling of their new uniforms. Ozzie needed to be in Miami at the end of the season for the Marlins.”
On Jan. 14, starting Jake Peavy insinuated Ozzie quit on the Sox last season, and he did walk away with two games left on the schedule.
Ozzie fired back on Twitter. Here are two of his unedited comments:
"I am out the country now but i never quit in anything yes be ready when i talk going to be fun"
"I will kill peoples feelings no mercy i turn the page but they no let me a long then get ready going to be bad"
-Chris Sale was on a media conference call Monday afternoon, discussing his transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation.
“Don’t get me wrong, I had good time and good moments out of the bullpen,” Sale said. “But I guess you can say (starting) is something I have worked toward and I am very excited that it’s here and I was given the opportunity.”
John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Peavy, Sale and Phil Humber? Looks like the rotation is going to be the Sox’ strength in 2012.
-The White Sox invited 18 nonroster players to spring training.
The notable names are pitchers Brian Bruney, Leyson Septimo, Eric Stults and Jacob Petricka, infielder Tyler Kuhn and outfielders Jordan Danks and Jared Mitchell.
-The White Sox promoted Buddy Bell to vice president, player development and special assignments.
Nick Capra moves up to Bell’s old job - director of player development. And Kirk Champion, long one of my favorite people in the Sox’ organization, was promoted to minor league field coordinator.
-You can catch second baseman Gordon Beckham before this weekend’s SoxFest gathering.
Wednesday night, Beckham will be at HUB 51 for a meet and greet as he promotes his partnership with the National Parkinson Foundation.
Beckham’s grandfather suffers from Parkinson’s disease.
The event runs from 7-9:30 p.m.
HUB 51 is a great spot, and I would highly recommend the chicken nachos if you go.
How far away does Ozzie have to go before Chicago is finally rid of his tired act? The fact that Reinsdorf has to take the time to put out a press release to diffuse the situation is no different from the mother that reluctantly gives candy to the spoiled 4 year old that is throwing a tamtrum in the check out line.
This is a banner for why we should all be glad that Ozzie is gone.
He is an immature, self-centered, illiterate little attention getter -- just like his creepy sons who have proven that they will make an ass of themselves on a moment's notice just to get some attention. The banana doesn't fall far from the tree.
Let's see how long the ownership in Miami is willing to be embarrased by this little monkey while they try to build an audience to justify the zillions of dollars they spent.
Ozzie, good riddance. My best day in 50 years of being a Sox fan is the day you left. Consider taking an English class at the local juco, 30 years and 10s of millions of dollars later, instead of making a career out of making an ass out of yourself.