Tagged: Bulls

Spring is just around the corner

How did January go by so fast? Well, February is here and I can’t believe it. And no, I don’t believe in Valentine’s Day, just in case you were wondering. February is always an exciting month because baseball is finally getting started. I can’t really remember an offseason that has been as much fun as this one, not only with the moves the Marlins have made but with the moves everyone has made. There are a lot of good teams out there and teams looking to bounce back from last year. April 4 can’t come soon enough.

I will be heading down to Miami on Feb. 13 for the Marlins charity golf tournament. I know Joey Cora has been practicing a lot so I need to get out there a few days early so I don’t embarrass myself. A couple days before that, on Friday, Feb. 10, I will be doing “Lunch With a Legend” here in Chicago on ESPN 1000 with Waddle & Silvy. I love working with those guys because they know a lot about baseball and sports in general. They treat everyone with respect and I like that. I hope to see everyone out for the event.

I finally made it to my first Bulls game of the year last week. It’s always great to see my old buddy, the guy who got me my first car in Chicago back in 1985, Steve Shanwald. I think it was a Toyota Supra (haha). The Bulls played a great game and Derrick Rose was awesome! I did see that they lost to the Heat, even though it was a great game. It would be very nice if the Bulls and the Heat face off in the Eastern Conference Finals so I can catch some games in Miami.

Back to baseball. Like I always say, every team looks good in January and everyone is optimistic and excited about their team’s chances. Usually this time of year everyone is saying the right things, but you have to go out and play the games. Everyone loves each other in February, but the key is to love each other in September. If you can do that then you are in business. Trust me, I know first hand.

It’s almost time for baseball!

I’m back! Yes, it’s good to be back in Chicago. I love my house here in the Bucktown area, and even though it’s cold, at least it isn’t as cold as it was a week ago, from what I have heard. I will be hanging around Chicago for a couple more weeks before I head down to Florida for Spring Training. Tonight I am going to head over to the United Center for the Bulls game, my first one of the year. I think they play the Bucks, who just beat Miami, so it should be a good game. On Saturday I might head over to the UFC event. I have never been to one of those so it might be a cool experience.

Now, on to some baseball stuff. Wow! Congratulations to Prince Fielder and his family. He deserves it and the Tigers definitely got better. I know Miguel Cabrera is happy. It seems like all the big-name hitters are going to the American League, thank God (haha)!

I have some things planned here in Chicago before I head out that I’m sure you are going to be interested in. We literally just set this up a few minutes before I wrote this, but on Feb. 10 I will be on ESPN 1000 “Lunch with a Legend” on the “Waddle & Silvy Show.” I’m very excited about it and it will be a good way to say goodbye to Chicago before the season starts. Hope to see as many of you out for the event as possible.

I think I am leaving town right after Valentine’s Day and I’m pumped up about it. I never thought I would say this, but I’m looking forward to seeing Joey Cora again, a lot (haha). That means only one thing: baseball is here!

Heading to Chicago soon for a visit

Well, things have not gone according to plan for me. I’m still in Venezuela and all I want to do is go back to Chicago and hang out at the house. I want to see some snow and put on a big jacket and some gloves, because I like that stuff. Before I can go back, though, I need to stop in Miami and finalize the deals on the houses I’m going to live in, one in Jupiter and one in Miami. It’s a little hard when I go house shopping because I like a very specific style of house. I want it to look very modern and away from the traffic, and in Miami that can be hard because traffic can be very bad. I think we have narrowed it down and are going to find what we are looking for.

After we are able to get all of that stuff done, it’s finally back to Chicago. I’m tired of watching the Bulls on TV, so you had better believe I will be at the United Center. They are doing an awesome job even without Derrick Rose, so that’s great. I can’t wait to see a game.

I saw that the Rangers signed that Yu Darvish guy. Good for them. For all of the money they spent on him, I hope he does well for them. Going to back to back World Series is not an easy thing to do. Who knows? Maybe they can make it three in a row. I also heard that Orlando Cabrera is going to retire. I had him with the White Sox (we made the playoffs that year), but also when I was with the Expos. He is simply a winner and always has been. He can be a little different, but he can play. He had a great career.

Well, I hope you guys stay warm in Chicago and for all my people in Miami, keep rooting for the Heat (they will get better) and hopefully the Fish as well. Congrats to all the guys that avoided arbitration; well done, and best of luck to the guys that are challenging.

My birthday is also very soon, but no gray hairs for me yet! January is a very busy month for my family, but no SoxFest this year (haha), so it will be nice to just hang out around the house and relax.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone! Hope everyone was safe and hope you all make the best out of this year. Health and prosperity to all! I’m thinking most of you had a good time celebrating the New Year by dancing and going crazy. I know we did.

Spring Training is getting closer, and the Fish have been making some noise. We traded for Big Z (Carlos Zambrano) and I could not be happier. I think Carlos deserves a fresh start with a new team and I think in the long run both teams are going to benefit from this trade. I have faith in Carlos and I respect him as a person. He starts with a clean slate for me. Plus, I doubt I will get in his face anyways … the guys is HUGE (haha). I heard we also re-signed Greg Dobbs, who I hear is a great guy to have coming off the bench. Let’s hope we are all set, and get ready to have some fun.

I have been watching a lot of NBA and Bulls games down here in Venezuela. The Bulls are looking good so far. That combined with the start of the NFL Playoffs makes it an exciting time to be a sports fan. I am also watching my Tiburones team compete here in Venezuela in the round robin. I hope they go all the way and the kids get their chance to keep playing.

I will be back in Chicago later this month for my birthday and you can probably find me at the United Center either watching the Blackhawks or Bulls. Yes, I like watching hockey, but only live, since on the couch I can’t keep track of the puck. I heard it’s been getting colder in Chicago, but I like it. Hopefully I get to see some snow.

On another note, my family and I lost a member of our family a couple of days ago, and it hurts us deeply. Just remember: If you love someone, make sure you tell them every day. May he rest in peace.

Make 2012 count! I can’t remember the last time I was this pumped up for a season. It should be great!

Happy New Year from the Guillen family.

Sparky, the World Series and the offseason

CHICAGO — What’s up, everyone?I finally made my way back to Chicago and
thought I’d share some things with you all. Man do I love this city,
even though I’m freezing my butt off!

Unfortunately, yesterday the baseball community lost a true legend. Sparky Anderson
was a great man and will truly be missed. I was lucky enough to watch
Sparky manage my favorite teams and player of all-time. Growing up in
Venezuela, the only games I was able to watch were those of the
Cincinnati Reds teams of the ’70s (especially the ’75 and ’76 teams) and
my favorite player, Dave Concepcion. I was also fortunate enough
to play against him when he was in Detroit and would be blessed one day
to have as many rings as he does. A lot of people have been asking me
if I have any Sparky stories, so here’s something I remember — even
though it might be hard for some of you to believe it. Sparky Anderson
intentionally walked me twice in my career to pitch to Sammy Sosa.
Yes, the same Sammy Sosa who hit over 600 home runs — although back
then he still had his Jheri curl and was a little darker (hahaha). Sparky was a great baseball man and will be missed.

I want to congratulate the San Francisco Giants, especially Aaron Rowand, Juan Uribe and Bruce Bochy.
My experience at FOX was awesome, and I can’t thank everyone enough.
But seeing those guys celebrate is what makes me excited to come to
work. I hope I can do it again some time soon. I love this game so much,
I want to be around it whenever I can. Both the front offices of the
Giants and Rangers need to be applauded. I got to the World Series in
’99 with the Braves and know what it feels like to lose. It takes a lot
to get there, and those guys should be proud. I watched a little of the
parade in San Francisco and it was great. those guys won because they’re
carefree spirits. They play the baseball I like to play.

Now that I’m back in Chicago, I plan on seeing a couple of Bulls games like I did last night. (Thanks to all the fans who came up and said hi.) I live close  to the United Center and enjoy supporting the young kids they have, like Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose. Plus, I have always been a fan of basketball.

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I
also want to go see a Bears game, but I’m not sure it will be here in
Chicago. Us Latinos will freeze out there in this weather. I am planning
on heading down to Miami to see them play the Dolphins. It will be a
lot warmer, but don’t worry, I will be rooting for the Bears. When I’m
in Miami, I enjoy golfing a lot and watching my youngest son, Ozney,
play at his Junior College. I think I’m going to crash at his place and
make him cook for me or something (hahaha). I have a lot of good friends who live in Miami in the offseason. I play golf with Joey Cora a lot and get to see Freddy Garcia
and his kids, who are a part of my family. Even though we try to relax,
we always end up talking about baseball. we Guillens live baseball
24/7, and I even named my dog “DH” after my good friend Harold Baines.   

I hope you all got a chance to check out the Jimmy Kimmel
joke about me. If not, you can look at my previous post. It’s very funny
stuff. I read all your questions and comments, and I love it, so please
ask me anything. Don’t be scared (haha). Maybe you guys can
teach me something. It never hurts to listen to advice. Now it’s time to
go relax this offseason with a little music, the beach, and of course
baseball because the chaos never stops!

Talk to you guys soon, very soon.

— Ozzie