Thomas, Guillen set record straight

[greasywheels121]

http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/ar...t=.jsp&c_id=cws

 

Thomas, Guillen set record straight

Two meet Monday to discuss manager's comments

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

CHICAGO -- At approximately 3:40 p.m. CT Monday afternoon, the door to Ozzie Guillen's clubhouse office opened, and a nattily attired Frank Thomas walked out.

 

Thomas had a smile on his face.

 

He walked toward his locker and passed one of the White Sox media relations' staffers, who happened to be holding a copy of Monday's newspaper and Internet clips. Those clips featured Guillen's pregame talk Sunday concerning Thomas' previously exhibited "bad attitude," with one newspaper running the story above the fold on the front of its sports section.

 

After briefly looking down at the packet, Thomas chuckled.

 

Although Thomas' character briefly was called into question Sunday, despite the injured slugger simply showing up back in Chicago on Saturday and going through rehab on his surgically repaired left ankle, Thomas' upbeat attitude never wavered on Monday. When he talked to the media for 15 minutes during White Sox batting practice, Thomas made it clear that no problem existed between him and the outspoken manager.

 

In fact, as a teammate of Guillen's for nine years, Thomas was more than familiar with his shoot-from-the-lip, direct approach.

 

"He's going to say what he wants to say and he's always done that," said Thomas of Guillen. "But there's no ill will or no ill feelings with me and Ozzie. That's it.

 

"We've always had a weird relationship, but we've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears together. He's always been a loose-lipped guy. That's Ozzie, and you love him for it.

 

"You never know what's going to come out of his mouth," Thomas added with a smile. "I don't take any of that stuff to heart."

 

If this Guillen vs. Thomas saga sounds eerily familiar to White Sox supporters, they need only look back to when Guillen was first hired in November 2003 for Chapter 1 of this story. Guillen called out Thomas during his opening press conference, wanting the team's most prolific slugger to be more of a team player.

 

The story lingered until Spring Training 2004, when Thomas arrived in Tucson, Ariz., and handled himself with as much class as he did Monday afternoon. Once again, he pointed to the fact that Ozzie will be Ozzie, and that's what makes him successful.

 

But in Monday's particular situation, Thomas was at times a little more direct, at times a little more philosophical and for most of the interview, showed his maturity as a soon-to-be 37-year-old, embarking on his 16th Major League season. Thomas admitted that his attitude hasn't always been perfect and even talked about how he looked at stat sheets as a young player as a way to motivate himself.

 

Motivation also often came from Guillen's pointed critiques. But the biggest concern for Thomas, Guillen and general manager Ken Williams was that the Monday morning controversy didn't cause any sort of distraction for the collective job to be done on the field.

 

Williams, who was as stunned as Thomas and Guillen by the articles' tenor, spoke with Guillen upon arriving and was satisfied by the explanation of the point he was trying to make. Guillen also stressed how many previous times he had stuck up for Thomas, as his teammate and as a player under him.

 

"Ozzie is a player's manager, and he will always be a players-first manager," Williams said. "He has their back and believes in them. He's articulated that on numerous occasions. The last thing we want is for fans, or any other team, to think we are divided."

 

"That's one of the things when I saw the newspaper today, it was like, 'Wait a minute. It shouldn't be about me at all right now. Talk about the guys who are making things happen,'" Thomas added. "It's beautiful what's going on. These guys are playing their butts off and I definitely don't want to be a distraction."

 

Guillen intended to point up the team-first approach preached by this current squad through his comments to the media Sunday morning, although it became slightly muddled when he referred to Thomas' attitude in answering three separate questions. As Guillen pointed out Monday, he also went on to mention other players who were part of the problem as being part of the past teams.

 

The criticism of both Thomas and Guillen on local sports radio Monday made it a very tough morning for Guillen. He intended to play golf, but turned his radio to the sports talk before leaving.

 

His reaction was instant and far from positive.

 

"I was thinking about Frank Thomas, Frank Thomas' friends and all the fans," Guillen said. "It made me sick to my stomach because I put Frank Thomas in this situation. The thing that bothered me was it sounded like I was blasting my players. I'm never going to do that."

 

Thomas is in the final year of a series of one-year contracts, featuring mutual player and team options. Thomas can exercise his contractual option first for 2006, at $10 million, but for the first time in this series, the White Sox can buy out his deal for $3.5 million.

 

For those skeptics who think the criticism of Thomas is meant to pave the way for his exit, Williams' compliments Monday in regards to their positive Spring Training conversation and Thomas' comments to the media Saturday didn't sound as if they were directed at a man he was trying to chase out. Thomas, though, is resigned to the fact that his time on the South Side soon could come to an end.

 

But before that moment arrives, Thomas wants to get healthy and contribute to the White Sox's postseason drive. He still has a goal of reaching 500 home runs, sitting 64 short of that plateau.

 

As he said Saturday, nothing would put a bigger smile on his face than winning a championship ring with the White Sox. As for Monday's situation, Thomas knows a big man with a big name often rates big news.

 

"I've never been a troublemaker, and I won't be a troublemaker," Thomas said. "I'm a very positive guy, and I've always been a very positive guy. As for the ballclub, I wouldn't have lasted around here so long if I was a cancer to the clubhouse or if I had a bad attitude. I never did.

 

"The bottom line is that I've had my ups and downs with this organization, just like any player who spends a long time with an organization," Thomas said. "But I'm proud to be here. It's one of those things now that I want to play baseball and do whatever I'm capable of doing to help this team win.

[southsideirish]

QUOTE(rudylaw @ Apr 19, 2005 -> 03:31 AM)

Frank just wants to win.  He is tired of being the whipping boy for the Sox the past 10 years.  He just wants a ring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I hope this is true, however I really doubt it. Do you think he would be fine with just being a bench player as long as they won? I serisouly doubt it. He may want to win, but he also cares about playing and putting up numbers. He would never want to be a Julio Franco type player.

Edited April 19, 2005 by southsideirish

[GoodAsGould]

Well unlike Franco, Frank can still be a threat in the lineup everyday since the AL has the DH spot... and as it looks right now Jermaine Dye is going to be losing the most playing time.

 

But there should be plenty of AB's for everyone with a rotation in the OF and Everett DHing every so often. And whose to say an injury doesnt happen to one of our OF's.

[WilliamTell]

What do you guys think Frank wants more? 500 home runs and the Hall of Fame, or a World Series ring? I think it's a pretty tough question myself.

[greasywheels121]

What do you guys think Frank wants more? 500 home runs and the Hall of Fame, or a World Series ring? I think it's a pretty tough question myself.

 

If he gets the latter, he'll have no problem getting in the HOF.

 

I think he should be a HOFer right now though.

Edited April 19, 2005 by greasywheels121

[Flash Tizzle]

Whether or not Ozzie and Frank have settled this issue, it's important for the media to get the impression they've reconciled their differences. Further mending can be done behind close doors, without Tribune reporters baiting Ozzie/Frank everyday.

 

Now these reporters have no choice but to report winning White Sox baseball.

[Goldmember]

If he gets the latter, he'll have no problem getting in the HOF.

 

I think he should be a HOFer right now though.

 

agreed.

[YASNY]

I started reading the huge thread on this Ozzie/Frank thing that was started when this first broke, and everyone was ripping on Ozzie. After 3 pages, I just killed it. I knew it would end up like this. There's a language barrier, then tyhe media adds it's own twist to things and then it ends up being a lot of crap about nothing. It's happened before, and it'll happen again.

[Steff]

I started reading the huge thread on this Ozzie/Frank thing that was started when this first broke, and everyone was ripping on Ozzie.  After 3 pages, I just killed it.  I knew it would end up like this.  There's a language barrier, then tyhe media adds it's own twist to things and then it ends up being a lot of crap about nothing.  It's happened before, and it'll happen again.

 

 

Par for the course.. however I'm glad that Ozzie realized his comments were taken in the negative way they were and he fixed the mess.

[southsider2k5]

What do you guys think Frank wants more? 500 home runs and the Hall of Fame, or a World Series ring? I think it's a pretty tough question myself.

 

World Series Ring= 95% of the vote on the first HOF ballot.

[CWSGuy406]

I hope this is true, however I really doubt it. Do you think he would be fine with just being a bench player as long as they won? I serisouly doubt it. He may want to win, but he also cares about playing and putting up numbers. He would never want to be a Julio Franco type player.

 

And why should he be?

 

He's still capable of putting up damn good numbers.

 

If Barry Bonds was asked to ride the pine, do you think he'd be very happy with it? You don't ask your best player (or one of your best) to be relegated to the bench -- unless the situation absolutely calls for it, i.e. interleague, or if Thomas absolutely sucks against a tough righty.

[southsideirish]

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Apr 19, 2005 -> 12:58 PM)

And why should he be?

 

He's still capable of putting up damn good numbers.

 

If Barry Bonds was asked to ride the pine, do you think he'd be very happy with it?  You don't ask your best player (or one of your best) to be relegated to the bench -- unless the situation absolutely calls for it, i.e. interleague, or if Thomas absolutely sucks against a tough righty.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Where did I ever say that he should? I am simply pointing out that he is not all about winning. Winning is not the only thing on Frank's mind, which is what was stated in the post I responded to. By the way Frank is not Barry Bonds, that is a really piss poor comparison.

Edited April 19, 2005 by southsideirish

[Steff]

Where did I ever say that he should? I am simply pointing out that he is not all about winning. Winning is not the only thing on Frank's mind, which is what was stated in the post I responded to. By the way Frank is not Barry Bonds, that is a really piss poor comparison.

 

 

 

You are assuming... assuming that you haven't directly spoken to Frank.

[Dick Allen]

If Ozzie was asked to ride the pine back in his playing days how would he have accepted it? Hasn't Ozzie said one of the main reasons the Sox let him go was his support of Magglio, how he thought Magglio should be given a better chance? When Ozzie was playing shouldn't he have let the "boss" make the decisions and not say anything about it, like he expects everyone to do about his decisions and the stupid crap that comes out of his mouth. They are trying to put a spin on what Ozzie said, and I'm pretty sure Ozzie has been spoken to. People get misquoted, and quotes are taken out of context, but when every media outlet is reporting the same damn thing, the language barrier excuse is weak. I have no doubt its been ironed out, and Frank has been apologized to and assured nothing this stupid will ever happen again.

[YASNY]

If Ozzie was asked to ride the pine back in his playing days how would he have accepted it? Hasn't Ozzie said one of the main reasons the Sox let him go was his support of Magglio, how he thought Magglio should be given a better chance? When Ozzie was playing shouldn't he have let the "boss" make the decisions and not say anything about it, like he expects everyone to do about his decisions and the stupid crap that comes out of his mouth. They are trying to put a spin on what Ozzie said, and I'm pretty sure Ozzie has been spoken to. People get misquoted, and quotes are taken out of context, but when every media outlet is reporting the same damn thing, the language barrier excuse is weak. I have no doubt its been ironed out, and Frank has been apologized to and assured nothing this stupid will ever happen again.

 

Oh hell. Ozzie was talking about the whole damn team in '04. He mention 3 or 4 other names in the context they were the team leaders and the team had attitude problems. The media just jumped on the Frank Thomas aspect of it, and ran with it. This s*** has been going on with Frank for 15 years. It's not Ozzie. It's not Frank. It's the damn Chicago media.

Edited April 19, 2005 by YASNY

[JUGGERNAUT]

Ozzie mis-spoke. Plain & simple. Carl himself has spoken out on this. He wants to play the OF. He's not fond of being a DH. If you are going to keep him beyond this year you had better clear a spot for him in the OF.

 

Thomas was simply echoing Carl's sentiments with his own. Ozzie never mentioned Carl's words on the subject & that's why it came across as being very negative towards Frank.

[Steff]

LMAO... that wasn't even the issue.

[JUGGERNAUT]

At the same time Williams words are kind of errie:

Williams said he would like to see Thomas agile enough to play 1B by June 6.

What does that say about Koney? He may only be hitting 239A but his 952 OPS is a big part of why the Sox are in 1st place.

 

Then again the Sox are dead last in walks right now so Thomas is sorely needed.

[YASNY]

I never want to see Frank Thomas at first base defensively again.

[JUGGERNAUT]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay19.html - Kotek boy endorses Thomas.

 

Guillen: "It made me sick to my stomach because I put Frank Thomas in this situation."

 

I've given Ozzie the lineup. Use Carl to spell all 3 OFers & Thomas once every 7 gms. That gives Carl 4 starts out of every 7. He can do that because Pods can play CF when Rowand has an off day. None of our OFers are hitting great or even good enough to warrant more playing time.

 

That will make the Sox a better team. When Carl is DH'g & looks baffled some night, Thomas can come off the bench. In the games where he doesn't start Carl can come off the bench to replace any one of our OFers because again Pods can play CF.

 

It's not as big a problem as Ozzie makes it out to be. Carl doesn't like being a DH. He wants to play the OF. Give him the playing time.

[JUGGERNAUT]

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/ds.../pro/191sd2.htm

Guillen: " I don't have the right to pick on one of the best players ever to wear the White Sox uniform."

 

Thomas: "It's special what's happening with this team right now. These guys are playing well together. Great chemistry and a will-to-win attitude. That's what I've always wanted."

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...tesox-headlines

Williams: "I told him how happy and proud I was of him with his spring training comments about how he feels about the club, how he fits and his willingness to sit against certain right-handed pitchers."

 

What I to be the most amusing of all this is that when you peel away the layers this verbal sparring is centered around one belief: too much talent on the White Sox to play every one worthy every day.

 

I don't know if I share that belief yet but it sure is weird reading about it.

[sox-r-us]

Where did I ever say that he should? I am simply pointing out that he is not all about winning. Winning is not the only thing on Frank's mind, which is what was stated in the post I responded to. By the way Frank is not Barry Bonds, that is a really piss poor comparison.

 

You are so full of crap. Frank has always been about winning. Show some respect to the best Sox player ever.

[southsider2k5]

You are so full of crap. Frank has always been about winning. Show some respect to the best Sox player ever. 

 

You missed a couple of paragraphs in that story...

 

Thomas did acknowledge being selfish early in his career, but he insisted he was driven by the production of rival players.

 

"As a younger player, I did look at my stats," he said. "It motivated me more."

[greasywheels121]

You missed a couple of paragraphs in that story...

 

http://chicago.comcastsportsnet.com/media/...0418_Medium.wmv

[sox-r-us]

You missed a couple of paragraphs in that story...

 

All players (especially when young) look at stats. That does not make them selfish. WHen you have the talent to have the gaudy stats like Thomas does, it can only help the team win. What he can do, only a few others can around baseball. While you need role players to win, you cannot win without talent. I guess Babe Ruth was selfish too since he called his own HR at Wrigley. Again, you are wrong.