White Sox announcement leaves Ozzie Guillen in tears during MLB broadcast
It’s not often an announcement catches a broadcaster by surprise as much as the Chicago White Sox stunned Ozzie Guillen on April 3. Guillen, the former White Sox manager who is now an analyst on the team’s regional sports network (CHSN), was caught unaware when one of his former players, Scott Podsednik, opened a mystery envelope during the broadcast of a game between the White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. MORE: Ex-Yankees pitcher rips umpire: ‘something has to be done’ about CB Bucknor During what normally would be a commercial break between the second and third innings, Chuck Garfien announced Podsednik would make a special announcement.
The former outfielder then read from the envelope: “The Chicago White Sox announce today that 2005 World Series winning manager, Ozzie Guillen, will be honored Aug. 8 … with a special ceremony retiring his number 13 uniform. “The shortstop who played for 13 seasons with the White Sox will be the 13th player in franchise history to have his number retired — and first manager.
” Guillen broke down in tears as Rate Field applauded the news. MORE: ESPN to feature Doug Glanville, Joe Buck on Jackie Robinson Day broadcast In 2005, Guillen managed the White Sox to a World Series championship in his second year as the team’s manager. He won the American League Manager of the Year Award that same year.
Guillen’s teams reached the postseason just once over the next six years, but he remains the last team to guide the White Sox to MLB ‘s championship. From 1985-97, the Venezuela native played 1,743 games for the White Sox. He made three All-Star teams and won the 1985 AL Rookie of the Year Award.
The one constant from his playing days to his managerial tenure was the number on his back: 13. MORE: Yankees pitcher sounds off on fans’ ‘brutal’ TV nightmare: ‘sounds terrible’ After bringing his wife onto the makeshift studio stage, Guillen waved to the crowd applauding behind him. “I don’t know how to react, how to say ‘thank you’ to the White Sox organization,” Guillen said.