The Bones Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I don't know if anyone posted this already and I'm too lazy to look. McKeon quote on Guillen and gives the low down on some of the managerial candidates. Positives and Negatives. Here it is. McKeon sings Guillen's praises By Teddy Greenstein Tribune staff reporter October 12, 2003, 10:05 PM CDT MIAMI -- Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon had to laugh Sunday after being asked if his 39-year-old third-base coach, Ozzie Guillen, might be too young to manage the White Sox. "Hey, I'm too old and here's a guy who's too young?" said McKeon, 72, who has a daughter older than Guillen. "No, there's no age barrier to this stuff. You can be 80 or you can be 30—it's no big deal. I think he's a very capable young man. I highly recommend the guy, definitely. "He communicates well. He's good with the Latin players. He's a very knowledgeable baseball man. He's colorful, a fun-loving guy. He keeps everybody loose. Sometimes you need to put a muzzle on him, but that's his nature. He's a very talkative, hyper guy." And that's why so many people in Chicago love him. One of those, by all accounts, is White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. That's a good connection to have. And perhaps it's why a source said Guillen has been promised an interview once the Marlins' postseason ends. A look at the reputations of candidates, culled from interviews with people in the game: Cito Gaston: Guided the Blue Jays to World Series titles in 1992 and '93 but hasn't managed since 1997. Many believe Sox GM Ken Williams idolizes the 59-year-old Gaston. But Williams might have a challenge convincing Reinsdorf to green-light the move. Pluses: Won it all—twice. Works well with veterans, giving them space. Handles egos. Has close ties to Roberto Alomar, whom the Sox would like to re-sign. Has a great reputation for stealing signs, a la bench coach Joe Nossek. Tight with Williams. Minuses: Might be even more laid-back than the fired Jerry Manuel—and critics say he has less charisma. Was hesitant to use his bench in Toronto, which led to discontent among non-starters. Has been out of the game since 2001, when he lost his job as the Blue Jays' hitting coach. Said to be reluctant to manage a team with young players. Terry Francona: Was regarded as the game's next manager while working his way through the Sox's system from 1992 to 1995. Fired in Philadelphia after posting a .440 winning percentage from 1997-2000. Currently the A's bench coach. Pluses: Everyone raves about his upbeat, self-effacing personality. Great experience for a man of 44—played for five teams (including the Cubs) and worked as a coach or minor-league manager for six. After enduring four years in Philly, can handle negative Sox fans. Knows the Sox culture and many in the front office. Minuses: Although Phillies players loved him, some contend the inmates were running the asylum. As a young big-league manager—37 when he got the job—he made some mistakes with lineups. Got blamed when erratic bullpen blew leads. Ozzie Guillen: Played shortstop on the South Side for 13 seasons. After brief stints with Baltimore, Atlanta and Tampa Bay, joined Jeff Torborg's staff in Montreal and went with him to Florida. Pluses: Fan favorite, media favorite and believed to be a Reinsdorf favorite. Fiery, chirpy personality would provide a contrast to Manuel's easy-going style. Venezuela native would be a hit with the Latin players, a la Tony Pena, who had a tremendous impact in Kansas City. Would bring the fun back to the South Side. Minuses: No managerial experience. Has never handled a pitching staff. Would have to lean heavily on coaches such as Nossek and Don Cooper. Might rankle players with honest assessments/negative quotes. Former teammates such as Frank Thomas might resent having to answer to him. Then again, Thomas might not be back. Buddy Bell: Indians bench coach had little managerial success in Detroit and Colorado, going a combined 345-462 in his six seasons. Served as a minor-league instructor for the Sox from 1991-93. Pluses: Extremely well liked in baseball circles; lives up to his first name. Teaches the game well. Well acquainted with Sox players and AL Central foes after working in Cleveland. Knows Reinsdorf. Minuses: Critics say he didn't handle adversity well in Detroit and Colorado, flipping out when his teams went south. Bad records can't be completely overlooked, even if talent level was minimal. Copyright © 2003, The Chicago Tribune Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 That definatley sounds like Ozzie is the best choice. I don't want Cito if he is a laid back type of guy. I would love to have Ozzie, and I hope JR and KW bring him in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loaiza21 Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I'd love it if the White Sox hired Guillen. If we lose, at least we'd have fun while were losing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 Beckett was very good last night, but does anyone doubt he would look 12 if he shaved? LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 My only question with Ozzie would be if he is tough enough to get on guys -- especially Frank -- if they're tanking it or refusing to move runners along. they were former teammates. Don't know what their relationship was. sox need somebody who will bring enthusiasm and energy, but also resolve to play the game the right way. Dusty Baker, Joe Torre, Jack McKeon and, especially, Grady Little, are hardly the Kings of Charisma. So you need more than personality to win. You also need to have a plan -- and the ability to get guys to follow that plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Gleason Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 My only question with Ozzie would be if he is tough enough to get on guys -- especially Frank -- if they're tanking it or refusing to move runners along. they were former teammates. Don't know what their relationship was. sox need somebody who will bring enthusiasm and energy, but also resolve to play the game the right way. Dusty Baker, Joe Torre, Jack McKeon and, especially, Grady Little, are hardly the Kings of Charisma. So you need more than personality to win. You also need to have a plan -- and the ability to get guys to follow that plan. Something tells me that it doesn't matter who you bring in to manage the team, Frank is the only person who will decide how Frank plays. I think the manager will have to be thought about with all the other players in mind, and forget about Frank. The more time passes, and the more I see info on the candidates, I keeping thinking more and more along the lines of "Ozzie? Why not!". I like what I know about Gaston, but I would be VERY surprised if he ended up here. I don't know why, I just would be. Of everybody else, Ozzie is just as tempting. The records of the other guys isn't blowing me away, and I think Ozzie could get these guys fired up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winninguglyin83 Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 ozzie got some love from the guys on fox last night. other than experience, which is a big exception, he's got more plusses than the other candidates. fresher face than Bell or Francona. livelier personality than Gaston. fan favorite. relates well to players. and he'd probably work cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubKilla Posted October 13, 2003 Share Posted October 13, 2003 I'd love it if the White Sox hired Guillen. If we lose, at least we'd have fun while were losing. That's the same type of logic incorporating "lovable" into losing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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