Guillen is eager to start

[DBAHO]

From da Trib, 3 articles in 1 day in the offseason? Wats up wit dat?

NEW ORLEANS -- Perhaps one day Venezuelans will look to Ozzie Guillen to help reform the country's political system.

 

Until then, Guillen will focus on improving the White Sox.

 

Guillen, who attained hero status when he became the first Venezuelan-born manager in the big leagues, recently visited his home country for three days.

 

"The government has to get better," he said. "They spend so much money on elections. If we spent that [differently], we'd have a better country."

 

With the Sox unwilling to spend enough to retain free agents Bartolo Colon, Tom Gordon and Roberto Alomar, Guillen has a bigger challenge ahead than first appeared.

 

"Those are great players, but they won't be with me," Guillen said. "So, to me, it's like they were never here. A lot of guys are panicking because [other teams] are making moves and we haven't.

 

"Right now I have a lineup [in mind], but I know it's not going to be the lineup in April. I have a lot of confidence that [general manager Ken Williams and Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf] will put together a team that can have success.

 

"You can't go to the Kentucky Derby with donkeys. You have to have good horses to race."

 

Much of the focus during Guillen's 30-minute session with the media Saturday was Frank Thomas, whom Guillen has been unable to contact since making his seemingly incendiary comments about the "Big Hurt" on the day he was hired. New third-base coach Joey Cora was able to reach Thomas a few weeks ago.

 

"He talked to him about playing first base and getting in shape," Guillen said. "Frank is excited about having me on board. I will talk to him before spring training. I thought I'd see him in Las Vegas when we had the [organizational] meetings there, but I never had the chance. I don't know if he was out of town."

 

Then the 40-year-old Guillen said of the 35-year-old Thomas: "To me, it's a privilege to have a kid like that in the lineup."

 

Guillen then took a conciliatory tone.

 

"I think a lot people in Chicago misunderstood what I was saying about Frank," he said. "I haven't seen Frank in six years and I cannot judge Frank.

 

"But the things I've heard the last two years are things I don't want to hear. It's something I worry about. Frank is our leader. I want Frank to be our leader all around. I don't want Frank to be a leader just on the field. We have a young team and a lot of kids are going to look up to Frank. So am I, and so are my coaches. I don't expect to have any problems with him, but I want Frank to play the game the right way.

 

"I don't want any selfish [players] and I don't want 'me, me, me.' I want everybody together. I want him to show up on time, I want him to respect his teammates, respect himself and have fun. I want him to be comfortable and have an MVP year."

 

Guillen said he views Magglio Ordonez, not Thomas, as his No. 3 hitter. That assumes Ordonez won't be traded.

 

Guillen, who hopes to have Walt Hriniak in camp as a special hitting instructor, said he wishes spring training opened Monday.

 

"I can't wait to stand up and talk to my players," he said. "It's easier for me because I know my coaching staff, I know the organization, the media, the players. To me it will be like I was divorced for a couple of years and now I'm back with my wife."

 

After Rockies manager Clint Hurdle and the Twins' Ron Gardenhire told him being a big-league manager was "the best job in baseball," Guillen said: "If this is the best job in baseball, then why do you guys get gray hair and fat so quickly?"

[Texsox]

hmm, Am I reading that Frank as a bad clubhouse guy is whispered around baseball?

[cwsox]

ozzie needs to stf up

 

if he is going to manage and communicate with his players via the press, it will be a long couple fo years until his ass is fired

 

 

I haven't talked to Frank but I've heard gossip and so I speak publicly on what I have heard in gossip...

 

Not in 7th grade anymore, Ozzie.

 

"I can't wait to stand up and talk to my players,"

 

Then, dips***, do it and get away from the media and cameras and bright lights and stop the showboating until you have done so

[quickman]

ozzie needs to stf up

 

if he is going to manage and communicate with his players via the press, it will be a long couple fo years until his ass is fired

 

 

I haven't talked to Frank but I've heard gossip and so I speak publicly on what I have heard in gossip...

 

Not in 7th grade anymore, Ozzie.

 

 

 

Then, dips***, do it and get away from the media and cameras and bright lights and stop the showboating until you have done so

I am so with you on this. As I mentioned in another thread I am on record as not liking this hire. This guy simply cannot get out of his own way. Can you imagine telling this guy a secret. forget it. It would be in the trib tommorrow. Ozzie, shut your mouth, your acting like a teenage girl talking about movie stars. Ozzie kindly take your foot out of your Mouth. Frank try not to punch this little twerp out.

 

Ps. I am not taking sides here just pointing out that Ozzie is completely wreckless and he has not even managed a game yet.

[Chisoxfn]

Well I like the fact that he plans on bringing Hrniak in as a special coach cause that will make Thomas happy. I'm not too worried right now about it.