My thoughts on Dunn, Konerko, ‘Ozzie Ball’ & more

Hey, everyone! Sorry for not posting in a little bit, but I have been all over the place. But now it’s time to talk to you guys and let you know what I have been up to. Last week, I was at the Winter Meetings for a day. I am glad we made the moves that we made, even though I was probably just as surprised as you guys when I heard them. People in Chicago should feel very proud and lucky they have an owner like Jerry Reinsdorf, and also proud of the people in the front office for making such aggressive moves. I’m very happy we have my captain, PK (Paul Konerko), back, and I’m happy he will hopefully finish his career with the White Sox. As far as Adam Dunn goes — wow … he’s a big boy and seems like a very fun guy who stays loose and ready to play. I like that.  

Right now, I am in Venezuela and will be here for a few weeks. Other than doing some relaxing, I am doing some work through the Ozzie Guillen Foundation, helping out kids with cancer and other problems they face here in my home country. I will post some pictures soon on here as well as on my Facebook page so you guys can get a feel for what exactly we are doing. 

I was reading through some of your questions and one came up about “Ozzie Ball” and what it is exactly. I think most times, people don’t know what it means, so let me explain: “Ozzie Ball” means playing the game the right way; it has nothing to do with bunting, stealing bases or the lack of home runs. It’s about playing hard-nosed baseball the way I liked to play it, or better yet the way Paul Molitor, Lenny Dykstra, Rickey Henderson and George Brett played the game. I want 25 guys playing the game that way every single day.

Now, on to more of your questions:

Q: Are you currently in your dream job?

A: Yes, I am in my dream job. I have been with the White Sox for 22 years of my life, and I have lived in Chicago longer than anywhere else in my life. Chicago is my home. With that said, my home is where my family and I are at that current time, and right now, that’s Chicago. I hope it stays that way, but it’s out of my control.

Q: Do you have a favorite place in Chicago to get a hot dog?

A: I don’t really eat a lot of hot dogs, but when I do I like Maxwell Street by UIC. They have a lot of good food, especially the pork chops.

Q: Ozzie, I’ve always wondered, what’s it like to make your money playing baseball?

A: I was always blessed to stay healthy for a long time like I did to play the game that I love. It truly was a blessing. I hope everyone loves their job as much as I do, because when you do you really give it your best. Many of us who had the privilege to play baseball for a living recognize how blessed we are. That’s why I try to do as much for the community as I can. I want everyone to be as healthy and blessed as we have been.   

Q: Since the Dodgers have Juan Uribe and he played for the White Sox, what can you tell us about him?

A: Uribe is awesome. He may look like a little Buddha, but he is an amazing baseball player. I think he is so good because he is not afraid of the moment. He really is fearless, maybe because he has no idea how big the moments actually are! (haha) I only kid with him because that’s my boy, and he will be great for the Dodgers. 


As I always say, keep the questions coming!

Until next time …

— Ozzie

6 comments

  1. ramosjlr@yahoo.com

    Ozzie, Thanks for everything you have done in baseball. And of course THANKS FOR 2005. LETS DO IT AGAIN!

    Other than baseball, what do you like to do in your spare time? (other than helping out organisations and stuff) your own personal time. do you play video games? poker?

    for e1dub@yahoo.com, you can buy him packs and packs of white sox. Hey after all, even cubs fans wear white sox. Jajajaja…!

  2. ramosjlr@yahoo.com

    hey Ozzie, other than baseball and helping other organizations. What do you like to do on your spare time? do you play video games? poker?

    as for e1dub@yahoo.com, you can buy him a few packs of white sox. Hey after all, even cubs fans wear white sox! jajajaja…!

  3. mpedrazas85@yahoo.com

    OZZIE! It’s the Shermanator. How can I get up there and work for the Sox. I’ve spent the past 2 years working with the Braves Minor Leagues and recently graduated college. I’m looking for a change in life and I can bring all that good luck up to Chi Town from Florida! Hope you get around to answering, but for now have a great offseason and go Sox!

  4. bigwalt

    Mr. Guillen,
    At times you have been criticized for not directing your pitchers to throw at batters in retaliation for them throwing at White Sox batters. I think you are trying to make the game more gentlemanly and also protect White Sox batters by establishing a reputation for clean play. That is, other teams won’t throw at our players because they know we don’t ever hit someone intentionally. What are your thoughts on this?

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