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Press conference summary

Steff

By Steff
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Steff Grand Master

Steff

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Compliments of Jjav829 @ WSI - hope he doesn't mind I "borrowed" them :D

 

KW about managerial search: Has been away all weekend and flew back this afternoon. Had 15 messages on cell phone and turned on his radio because messages sounded like the manager was already announced. He found it humorous and thinks the feedback says this move will be well received. Knows some have been frustrated with him for trying to get information and says this was a time consuming, tedious process. Had some expectations and surprised himself in it. The criteria when he started was a experienced manager with postseason or World Series experience. Talked to Jim Leyland and Tom Kelly. He wanted experience and feels the club will always be competitive while he (KW) is here. The surprise came when he threw that out the windows and had a lot of good conversations with baseball people on many topics (strategic). Each interview lasted 4-5 hours. Budgeted 4 hours with Ozzie, The interview started at 12 and by 2 he decided Ozzie would be the next manager of the Sox. The intensity, knowledge, and passion made his choice. Ozzie told him right away that he wouldn’t say what KW wanted to hear, but what he (Ozzie) was. KW liked that Ozzie looked him in the eye and knew him from past since they were former teammates and friends. Gave a story about Ozzie because KW took a day off and Ozzie showed up crying at his doorstep saying they traded him to Detroit and wondered why they needed him. *Jerry Krause comes in and KW mentions Jerry signed him*. By the second hour, KW was convinced Ozzie was the guy. He bleeds White Sox baseball and KW has no doubt that Ozzie will provide a jolt and is extremely pleased to announce Ozzie as new manager. *Holds up jersey and Ozzie enters picture*

 

Ozzie: Starts off, “What’s up”. Says this has been a lot of fun for him the past 2 weeks. Says he wouldn’t have flown 3 hours for any other team without knowing what would happen. Ramon Garcia called him wanting to be the pitching coach. Jokes about his English being bad and Garcia’s being worse. Says it’s great to be back and there is a lot of work. Feels we have a lot of good players and great talent. Feels desire, commitment, and passion wins games. Florida won with desire and because they wanted to win. One reason he took the job is because he knows how people should prepare to win games. Will teach people how to be a pro and care for each other. People think Ozzie is just a fan and that people love him and he doesn’t want to let anyone down. Hopes to manage here and announce his retirement from here in 20 years. Wants this to be the last uniform he ever wears. His heart was always here. His kids and family love the Sox. Opens up to questions.

 

Les asks first question: Asks about the Sox relying on the Home run and if Ozzie will be more aggressive

 

Ozzie: Says the game will dictate that. He feels it’s more important to pitch, play defense and do the little things. Says we can play a NL game. Says if players don’t do the little things like move runners over, he will call a bunt no matter if it is Frank or Magglio. He wants guys without an ego and guys who will do anything to win. Winning is the best thing to happen to anyone.

 

Lou Cannelis (sp?) asks #2: Asks when Ozzie knew KW bought into what he said in interview.

 

Ozzie: Responds last night. Says 20 million people in his country looking for him to be in this position. Told KW he wasn’t going to lie just to get a job because he’s only 39 so he told him what he was going to do. Feel managers get hired to be fired and if he’s going to get fired, he’ll get fired his way. The only thing he can promise is when you come to ballpark, every player will play the game right. Hopes the players can hear the press conference and what he says. Everyone will have fun but play the game right and win. Winning is fun. That’s his belief.

 

David Schuster from Score asks #3: Asks how he will help promote team being a fan favorite:

 

Ozzie: Knows a lot of people were rooting for him but wants to know in July how much the people who were rooting for him will love him. Doesn’t want to let anyone down. He believes in himself and everyone will be ready to play for him, or they won’t be playing. Everyone has to play how he wants them, to play.

 

Someone I don’t know ask #4: What type of team will the Sox have?

 

Ozzie: Wants to have free agents on team because they play harder for their money. Wants a team that wants to play. Would rather have a bunch of kids who will play hard to win instead of a bunch of veterans who just go to play and leave. Everyone knows how he played and no one would have expected him to be a manager. Everyone thought he just went to play and have fun. Jokes about being 0-4 many times a week. But says he would move guys over regardless.

 

Bruce Levine asks #5: Ask about his relationship with Frank and their history

 

Ozzie: Frank is a big plus, but Frank will play Ozzie’s way. If he doesn’t like it, o well. Wants Frank to play the game right and respect his teammates or he will have a problem with him. Wants Frank to be a good player in the clubhouse because we know what he can do on the field. Rules will be there everyday and if players don’t like the rules, they can leave. He doesn’t expect problems with Frank. Frank has to play the game the way he should.

 

Some from USA Today asks #6: Asks about his inexperience and a bench coach with experience.

 

Ozzie: Wanted to be managing since he was a little kid. Asked a lot of questions of Torborg, Cox, McKeown. Going to go about the game the way he knows about the game and the way he plays the game. Knows people will second guess him and he is ready for it, especially being second guessed from his family. Said we will have to wait until Spring Training starts to know how he will handle pitching staff. Will prepare people to win, not just to have a good game. Makes joke about beer tasting the same win or lose. When you win, you have more fun and people want to stay in clubhouse. Everything is positive when you win. Says he will have fun. Will have music win or lose.

 

Question #7: Who was most influential?

 

Ozzie: Jeff Torborg gave him the opportunity and felt the Marlins had a great team. McKeown was like his dad in baseball and learned a lot over the year. Was pleased with the way they treated him. Told Bobby Cox he would second guess him because he wanted to manage. Doesn’t want to talk about Tampa Bay. Said if he couldn’t make it to play for Tampa Bay, he didn’t want to play (LOL!).

 

Question #8: What was the one lesson you learned as a third base coach and the time with the Marlins:

 

Ozzie: Loved all the players and thanks them for the chance. The players weren’t happy he left for Chicago but were happy for him because they knew what he wanted to do. Wanted to make sure they believed in themselves and had faith in the players. Said the Florida players wanted to win and that’s what he wants. Came here to start another championship.

 

Someone asks him a question in Spanish. I can’t translate. Ozzie jokes to media not to leave. Ozzie says the question is about coming from Marlins and what he can bring from them. Says he is ready to go and doesn’t want to let anyone down. End of press conference questions for Ozzie.

 

Mitch Robinson interviews Ozzie on FSN right after press conference.

 

Q: What advice have guys given you?

Ozzie: Be yourself and don’t change. Have a great attitude and wants to get the most from the players.

 

Q: When did you groom yourself as manager?

Ozzie: During the mid 80’s and 90’s the Sox had young players and he always tried to get those players under his wing. Decided then he wanted to have this job.

 

Q: How much input will you have in Free Agents?

Ozzie: He wishes they could bring in the people he has in his mind but thinks talent isn’t most important but rather the attitude that you want to win. Respect is big for teammates and especially for fans. He wants fans to be happy to come to game.

 

Q: How much did Ozzie talk to players about the Sox?

Ozzie: It’s easy for players to get to know him.

 

Q: What does Ozzie do until February?

Ozzie: Has done a lot of flying all over. Thanks the Lord for giving him the opportunity but kind of avoids the question. Ends interview joking about it being fun here but a lot colder.

 

Interview with Hawk on FSN after Ozzie interview is done.

 

Hawk says he wasn’t surprised with the choice and thinks that what Ozzie said is what you will get. Ozzie is very passionate and Hawk always felt that one day he would be a hell of a manager. Knows what should go on on the field and most importantly, what shouldn’t go on. Thinks this might be the most important move the Sox have made since he’s been there. Feels awareness is Ozzie’s best attribute. Ozzie knows the players and isn’t politically correct with media or players. Will tell you what he thinks. Hawk is extremely pleased and happy and feels this club needed a spark the past few years and they will get it now. Feels that with Ozzie and KW matched, we will have one hell of a time in 2004. In Hawk’s opinion, there isn’t one player with the Sox that knows more about the Sox than Ozzie. Feels we have a situation here that will equal or surpass what Tony Pena did last year. Compared Ozzie to Jordan or Bird in how they got on players and says Ozzie will do the same.

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